No Tuwai, Now is the Time for Bukayaro to Rise Above
Playing in the Singapore and Vancouver 7s tournaments had been a learning ground for Filipo Bukayaro. Without Olympic Games dual gold medalist, Jerry Tuwai, on his side in this weekend’s Toulouse and followed by the London tournaments, the opportunity is on Bukayaro to rise up to the challenge.
Tuwai, who is also the assistant coach had been dropped from the 13-member squad since he was not feeling well and had hindered his preparation.
Head coach, Ben Gollings, wants him to recuperate and be ready for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games on July 28 to August 8. Then the Rugby World Cup Sevens in South Africa from September 7-9.
The focus now is on the 22-year-old halfback who is deemed to be the man to take over from Tuwai when he retires.
Bukayaro’s job will be made much easier with the presence of veteran key playmakers, Waisea Nacuqu and Napolioni Bolaca who will be guiding him along.
Apart from Tuwai, the national 7s halfback position has been played by many of our rugby greats like the maestro Waisale Serevi, Paula Waisake, Paulo Nawalu, Pauliasi Tabulutu, Ilai Koroitamana, Lemeki Koroi, Fero Lasagavibau, Temesia Kaumaia, Seru Rabeni and so on.
The onus is on Bukayaro to stamp his mark among our 7s stars.
He knows what it is like to be part of the winning team after helping Ratu Kadavulevu School lift the Deans Trophy in 2017.
He played for the Dominion Brothers Under-21 side that won the Fiji Bitter Wairiki 7s U21 competition last year before joining Army.
This year, he was named the Fiji Bitter Marist 7s Player of the Tournament after starring for the Fijian Barbarians side when they walloped Police Blue 33-7 in the Cup final.
Already, Bukayaro has one of the HSBC World Sevens Series tournament titles (Singapore 7s win) under his belt.
So, Bukayaro has shown that he has got what it takes to be our next 7s star halfback.
This is his time to make it happen and make the position his own.