Tuva Rugby Club utility back Samu Tiqe Lutumailagi, 27, passed away at Lautoka Hospital on Monday after collapsing during a Nadroga Rugby Union club competition match in Lawaqa two weeks ago.
Lutumailagi, a resident of Semo Village in Tuva, Nadroga, played as a hooker for his team against Lomawai on Thursday, June 20, due to the regular hooker’s absence.
His father, Tomasi Hatuku, spoke about his son from Semo, describing Tiqe as a hardworking individual who was deeply involved in their community and religious duties. Hatuku, a taxi driver based in Nadi, did not know Lutumailagi planned to play in the match that day. He believed his son would spend the day attending to his cassava plantation.
“We had breakfast together that morning. I left for work, assuming he would pursue his usual hobbies, like planting,” Hatuku said. “Unbeknownst to me, he returned home to pick up his playing gear after I left.”
The district of Tuva comprises eight villages: Vouwa, Nadroumai, Togovere, Semo, Nabau, Kamisi, Emuri, and Niu Yoka. Lutumailagi, one of seven sons among eight siblings, is the fifth child of Hatuku and Amelia Vesu.
“I later found out he borrowed money from his older sister for his fare to Lawaqa to play,” Hatuku said. “I was at work when I got a call that he had been rushed from Koromumu (Sigatoka Hospital) to Lautoka in a serious condition.” Lutumailagi reportedly collapsed after the second scrum.
“Tiqe loved rugby like any typical son of Nadroga. He began with rugby league while attending Ratu Kadavulevu School in Forms Three and Four,” Hatuku continued.
Lutumailagi had represented Cuvu College in the Fiji Secondary Schools Deans competition and played for the Tuva Under-19 team that won the Coral Coast sevens’ U19 title for three consecutive years. He was part of the Nadi NASA team since last year.
He will be laid to rest in Semo on Friday.
When approached for comments, Nadroga secretary Isireli Basiyalo referred the enquiry to union president Jiuta Waqavonovono, who was unavailable.