YOUNG GUNS
EXETER NO.8
At 6ft 5ins (1.96m) and 19st (121kgs), Rus Tuima cuts an imposing figure.
Little wonder the powers-that-be among Exeter’s coaching staff are so excited about the prospects for an 18-year-old No.8 who counts Billy Vunipola and Nathan Hughes among his role models and was brought up admiring his uncle, the powerful Fijian back row and captain, Akapusi Qera.
The son of a naval serviceman based in Plymouth, Tuima left Fiji when he was five and found his way via Devonport Services RFC to Exeter’s satellite academy at Ivybridge.
After a stint at Exeter College, the young manmountain was inducted into the Chiefs’ senior academy in April and is ready to be unleashed into men’s rugby.
“I’ll be loaned out to Plymouth Albion this season and work with them, and if the opportunities arise I’ll hopefully get to play some ALeague games for Chiefs,” said Tuima, who last season represented England U18s and is fully committed to playing for his adopted country.
“Those are my main focuses and another big target is to get into the England U20s and get involved there. It was a great experience with the U18s this year and although I’m a proud Fijian, I’m in the English system now and I’ll stick with England. I think I have a lot to give back to this country and I’ve got great role models in Billy Vunipola and Nathan Hughes.”
Tuima explained: “They’re quite similar to the way I play and Billy’s a bit of a freak of nature and an outstanding rugby player with the way he carries himself and carries the ball.
“It’s hard to find someone who can break tackles as well as he does and, along with his brother, Mako, they have the skill levels to go with it. Their skills are probably as good as any back and that’s something I work very hard on with the Chiefs. There’s a lot of skill-based stuff led by Ricky Pellow and we do a lot of work on things like hand-eye coordination and skills in general.”
Tuima never needed to look far for family inspiration. He added: “Akapusi Qera’s my uncle through my father’s side and I first met him when he played for Pertemps Bees in Birmingham before he moved to Gloucester and he’s a fantastic example to follow.
“He’s very consistent, and even though he’s 34 now and slowing down a bit, he still has the same work-rate and is captaining Fiji. Hopefully, he can make it to next year’s World Cup.”
With Tuima coming through, it’s little wonder Exeter were relaxed about letting Thomas ‘The Tank’ Waldrom return to New Zealand. “Waldrom was one of the guys I looked up to and we used to speak one-on-one about his role as a No.8. But Dave Dennis is still around when I need advice and Dave Ewers is another good role model at the club. They’re always ready to help.”
To National League One defences next season, two words: good luck!