The Fiji rugby community mourns the loss of Ratu Ilaitia Tuisese Sr., a revered figure who served as a former national captain, head coach, and administrator. He passed away last Saturday at his home in Nausori after a brief illness, as confirmed by his family. He was 77 years old.
Ratu Ilaitia was not only prominent in sports and administration but also made significant contributions to national development, serving as the Minister for Regional Development and Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs in the interim government in 2000, and later as Minister for Agriculture, Sugar, and Land Resettlement following the 2001 general elections.
A member of the FRU Hall of Fame, Ratu Ilaitia was instrumental in the growth of sevens rugby in Fiji. He captained the Fiji 7s team as a player in 1977 when they won the prestigious Hong Kong 7s tournament for the first time, and later returned as a coach in 1980 to secure another Cup final victory.
Former teammate Pio Bosco Tikoisuva remembered him as a gentleman both on and off the field. Both players were part of the Fiji team that triumphed over the British Lions 25-21 in Suva in 1977, and were inducted as FRU Life Members together in April 2019.
“He excelled at lineouts and consistently demonstrated good sportsmanship,” Tikoisuva reflected. “We’ve lost a respected and humble man who was one of the great players of our era. We toured England together in the 1970s, defeating the British Barbarians, with our Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka also on that team.”
Ratu Ilaitia made his international debut in the 15s format on June 25, 1969, in a match that ended in a 31-11 loss.
Sale Sorovaki, the FRU general manager of operations and development, acknowledged Ratu Ilaitia as a great player and an educated man who often offered valuable advice and insights to improve operations. “We have lost a Flying Fijian legend,” he said.
Viliame Takayawa, secretary of the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA), noted Ratu Ilaitia’s support for the party and his pivotal role in the Laisenia Qarase government’s land buyback initiative. “His passing is a substantial loss in terms of institutional knowledge concerning land management and development for indigenous peoples.”
At the time of his passing, Ratu Ilaitia was the chairman of the Fiji SUN board. He leaves behind his wife, Adi Sokoveti Raditora Tuisese, children, and grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.