Rugby World Cup star to miss seven-year-old son’s funeral to play vs Portugal

Rugby World Cup 2023 – Day 17 highlights

Rugby World Cup star Josua Tuisova will reportedly miss his seven-year-old son’s funeral as he continues to play at the tournament for his country, having been informed of his son’s passing just hours before their recent victory over Georgia. He will remain at the World Cup in order to help the team before their final Pool match with Portugal.

Fiji Village have claimed that Tuisova has informed his father that he will not be able to attend his son’s funeral, who passed away after a long battle with illness.

Fiji need just one point from their final Pool match against Portugal on Sunday in order to reach the quarter-finals in France, where they would likely face England.

Tuisova’s father was the one who gave him the heartbreaking news and has been arranging the funeral back home in Fiji while the centre – one of his country’s star players – continues preparations despite his son’s funeral taking place on Tuesday.

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“With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Tito Micgabraph Donzel Ratulevu,” a statement said. “He is the son of Mr Josua Tuisova and Mrs Katarina Ladoge Ramoce. Affectionately known as ‘Tito’, he peacefully departed after a prolonged battle with a debilitating illness in Lautoka hospital.”

The funeral service was held at the Votua Catholic Church in the town of Ba on Friday as the community and wider rugby world have sent their condolences to Tuisova and his family.

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Despite being told of his son’s death shortly before Fiji’s all-important clash with Georgia, Tuisova played almost the entirety of the match and helped his side to a 17-12 victory. This put them on the verge of qualification for the knockout stages in what would be just the third time in their history.

Tuisova claimed a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics while competing for his country in Rugby 7s before going on to make 19 caps in rugby union and becoming a key member of the team at the World Cup.

The 29-year-old plays rugby in France with Racing 92 and has been in the country for a decade after spells with Toulon and Lyon, but is making the ultimate sacrifice for his country as he stays in France despite his son’s funeral being held in Fiji.

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