Former Flying Fijian great Ilaitia Tuisese, and at one point the captain of the Flying Fijians side has passed on.

He had an illustrious rugby career, playing for Fiji against Wales in Suva in 1969, and was part of the dynamic team that shocked rugby audiences worldwide with their defeat of the British & Irish Lions in 1977.

He would later go on to be selected as captain of the Flying Fijians side, being an instrumental part of the team in a time when the game of rugby was in its golden years of prominence.

Tuisese’s career was marked by defining moments that reshaped the world’s perception of Fijian rugby, when he was the first captain of the pioneering national sevens side that played in the Hong Kong Sevens in 1977 and won the HK7s title.

Years passed and in February 2019, his sporting achievements were recognised when he was inducted into the Fiji Rugby Hall of Fame, and later being made a lifetime member of the Fiji Rugby Union in April that year.

A year later, he was one of many recipients that were bestowed the honour of being made an Officer of the Order of Fiji.

He is survived by his immediate and extended families, all of whom are deeply affected by his profound loss.