Full Name: | Josua Tuisova Ratulevu |
Birth Date: | 1994 2, df=yes |
Birth Place: | Votua, Ba, Fiji |
Height: | 1.81 m |
Weight: | 113kg (249lb) |
School: | Ratu Navula College |
Relatives: | Pio Tuwai (brother) Filipo Nakosi (half-brother) |
Ru Position: | Wing, Centre, Number 8 |
Ru Currentteam: | Racing 92 |
Ru Clubyears: | 2013–2019 2019–2023 2023– |
Ru Proclubs: | Toulon Lyon Racing 92 |
Ru Clubcaps: | 122 72 0 |
Ru Clubpoints: | (285) (130) (0) |
Ru Clubupdate: | 21 January 2024 |
Ru Nationalyears: | 2017– |
Ru Nationalteam: | Fiji |
Ru Nationalcaps: | 19 |
Ru Nationalpoints: | (40) |
Ru Ntupdate: | 1 October 2022 |
Repsevensyears1: | 2013– |
Repsevensteam1: | Fiji |
Children: | Tito Tuisova (deceased) |
Josua Tuisova Ratulevu (born 4 February 1994) is a Fijian rugby union player. A wing or centre, he currently plays for Racing 92 in France's Top 14.[1] He won a gold medal in sevens as part of the Fiji team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Known for his strong running and physical play, he is nicknamed "Human Bulldozer" and "The Bus".
He began his career in Fiji, playing sevens for Westfield Barbarians, captained by his older brother and ex-Fiji sevens player, Pio Tuwai. He made his international sevens debut for Fiji in the 2013 Wellington Sevens[2] against Scotland at rover.[3]
In July 2013, he was signed by French Top 14 club RC Toulonnais (Toulon).[4] He made his debut against Racing Métro 92 in August, and scored his first try against Bayonne.[5] In May 2015, he signed a four-year deal to stay at Toulon.[6]
He was included in Fiji's squad for the 2023 World Cup in France. He played on in the tournament until Fiji's exit in the quarterfinals, despite tragedy striking him during the pool stage when his son died.
On 30 September 2023, Tuisova's seven year old son Tito died after a long illness, hours before he was to partake in Fiji's 2023 World Cup match against Georgia.[7] Despite this, Tuisova decided to continue playing on and missed his son's funeral.[8]