Fiji training video could signal disaster for Wales
Ahead of fixtures against Tonga, Samoa and Japan later this month and the World Cup in September, Fiji have been hitting the gym in preparation.
One of those players in the gym has been Josua Tuisova, who was filmed bench pressing recently. This is all very normal for a rugby team, and should not come as a surprise. However, it becomes slightly more interesting when looking back on what Matt Giteau recently said on RugbyPass’ ‘Gits & Genia’ podcast, where the two players discussed the strongest players they played alongside.
In the conversation, Giteau revealed that Tuisova was actually banned from lifting weights while they were both at Toulon as the winger/ centre put on a staggering 18kg in one preseason in the gym.
This is what he said:
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This could mean one of two things for Fiji’s opponents at the World Cup, Wales, Australia, Georgia and Portugal. He could go from already being one of the most intimidating ball carriers in world rugby to simply being unstoppable, which at times he did look for Lyon last season in the Top 14.
On the other hand, 18kg added to his already sizeable 113kg could be too much. You do not see many 1.81 metre, 131kg backs knocking about in professional rugby, and there is a very good reason for that because they would basically be immobile.
If Tuisova continues to hit the weights before the World Cup, it could go one of these two ways for Fiji. Seeing as they are probably Wales’ biggest threat in trying to qualify for the quarter-finals, Warren Gatland will not be keen on what he is seeing on social media this week. But Tuisova as he is will already be quite a handful for Wales, so the chances of him becoming too big to play might actually be Wales’ best hope.
Take a look at the video:
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