LAGI TUIMA

HARLEQUINS AND ENGLAND CENTRE

Harlequins and England centre Lagi Tuima says it’s in her blood to play rugby as she’s not the only member of her family to have rugby success.

One of her brothers, Rus, is on the books at Exeter Chiefs, her cousin Joe Cokanasiga plays for Bath and England, her cousin Phil Cokanasiga plays for London Irish and her uncle Akapusi Qera is a former Fiji captain.

Tuima says Qera helped develop the defensive side of her game.

“He has been all over the globe as well as at Bristol and Gloucester,” she says.

“Whenever we had family get-togethers or just watching the games, he would obviously come from a more forwards perspective so that helped out my little brother more than me, but I gained understanding of game management.

“I think he played a big part in the defensive side of our game. Obviously my dad having some background as well [helped us]. It was in our DNA to play rugby.”

All the skills Tuima developed and honed at previous clubs Devonport, Plymouth Albion and Bristol Bears helped her win the Premier 15s with Harlequins in the 20/21 season.

Her boot kept the score ticking over in their final win over rivals Saracens and Quins opened their title defence with an impressive

50-15 victory over Loughborough Lightning last weekend.

This season is projected to be the biggest and most competitive yet for the league but women’s rugby still has a long way to go on the road of progression.

Tuima believes increased emphasis on coverage and grassroots rugby is the way forward.

She adds: “In my opinion it’s just constant investment in the media coverage.

“On the opening weekend Allianz streamed all the games and for the younger generation coming through, the grassroots, that’s awesome for them to see it and to let them know it’s doable.

“A few of us are very fortunate enough to have full-time contracts to play week in, week out and for them to see that’s very much within reach these days [is great]. “I think a real emphasis on grassroots rugby in schools would be good. We have campaigns with Inner Warrior which are awesome to see. “Coverage is a massive part of it all. It’s so good to see on a club and international level that the games are being shown. “That’s a massive win for us at the moment.”