Tuwai: 7s Nomination A Great Honour
Fiji Airways Fijian 7s star halfback Seremaia ‘Jerry’ Tuwai believes all his achievements has been through divine intervention.
The World Rugby 7s Player of the Year nominee said, he’s ever grateful to God for the opportunity to be in Tokyo, Japan, to attend the World Rugby awards night at the Prince Park Tower on Sunday.
“It’s about experiencing something that I’ve never experienced it before,” he told FRU Media.
“To be nominated for the award along with two great players from America, Stephen Tomasin and Folau Niua is indeed an honour.” Tuwai said his success in the 2018/19 HSBC World Sevens Series is in two-folds. Tuwai who is in now in Tokyo, highlighted his appreciation to his team-mates for making it possible for him.
“Their support play and offloads have enabled me to score and play well,” he added.
The other, Tuwai says, is the backing of his family which was a source of strength for him.
The 30-year-old playmaker, who was named in the World Series ‘Dream Team’ for the third year running, was a key figure as Fiji won titles in Cape Town, Hamilton, Hong Kong, London and Paris to secure the 2018/19 World Series title, their first since 2016.
Tuwai was also nominated for the player of the year award in 2017 and 2018, losing on both occasions to USA flyer Perry Baker, but Samisoni Viriviri is the only Fijian player to win the award back in 2014.
A new winner is assured this time around with American duo Niua and Tomasin the other players shortlisted for the game’s highest individual honour.