RusiTuima

When your uncle has 65 caps for Fiji, your elder sister is an England international and your cousin has played at a Rugby World Cup, there’s a good chance you were always going to end up in rugby. That impressive family tree belongs to Rusi Tuima.

The nephew of Akapusi Qera, brother of Lagi Tuima and cousin of Joe Cokanasiga, there was always a bit of predestiny about the young Exeter Chiefs back-rower.

Born in Suva, Fiji he moved to England with his family when he was four and quickly began to make waves in the rugby world. A product of both the Ivybridge AASE programme and Exeter College, Tuima shone at U18 and U20 level and is quietly forging a name for himself here at Chiefs.

Having been blooded to senior rugby, both with Exeter Braves and on dual-registration with National League side, Plymouth Albion, the powerhouse forward made his Chiefs debut in a Premiership Rugby Cup fixture against Bath at Sandy Park in 2019.

Since then, he made his full Premiership debut coming off the bench against Wasps at the Ricoh Arena in January 2021 and he has earned his way into Rob Baxter's selection plans after some strong on-field showings.

A move to the second row truly helped him excel and ever since, Tuima has been a regular on the Chiefs teamsheet as well as been included in selection for England A.