Former Flying Fijians winger Filipo Nakosi says his professional rugby career is far from finished, but he has stepped away from European club rugby to prioritise his young family. The 33-year-old confirmed he ended his contract with French Pro D2 side Vannes in January and has returned home to Fiji after spending about a year living alone in France.
“First of all, rugby is still not over for me. I just came back because of my family, because of my kids; they’ve been growing fast,” Nakosi said, explaining that the decision to leave Vannes was a family one. The Ba native, who is the elder brother of Flying Fijians centre Josua Tuisova, said being present for his children is now his main focus after years of overseas commitments.
Nakosi is a father to a six-year-old daughter and twin boys who turn three this June. “For me, living alone in France for a year now, it’s hard for me, and it’s a decision that we made as a family,” he said, adding that he wants to be “a good influence” in his children’s lives rather than spending most of his time away on rugby duties.
Despite stepping away from the professional scene, Nakosi has not closed the door on a return. He confirmed several clubs have approached him with offers since his exit from Vannes, but he declined to name any interested parties. “Yes, there are a number of clubs that are offering me a contract to go back, but I don’t want to name them,” he said. For now, he said, “I’m just focusing on family.”
Nakosi has remained active on the field locally. Last month he was spotted playing for his village team, Ba River, at the 50th Fiji Bitter Marist Sevens — a sign he has not lost his appetite for the game even while prioritising home life. The appearance at the Marist Sevens also suggests he could keep match fitness while weighing professional options.
At 33, Nakosi is at an age where many wingers assess the balance between club demands and life after rugby. His return to Fiji — and the fact he is already attracting interest from clubs — makes this a pause rather than an obvious retirement. Whatever he decides, Nakosi framed the move as one about timing and responsibility: “Once they grow up, they’ll forget about us. They’ll live their own life, and that’s my responsibility as a father, to come and be a good influence in their lives.”
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