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Fiji star Josua Tuisova will miss his seven-year-old son\u2019s funeral after deciding to remain with his country at the Rugby World Cup.<\/p>\n
The centre was informed of his son\u2019s death shortly before his side\u2019s win against Georgia in Bordeaux last weekend.<\/p>\n
Isikeli Ratulevu, the centre\u2019s father, told Tuisova of his son\u2019s death just hours before the dramatic 17-12 win. <\/p>\n
Tuisova\u2019s son had been suffering from a long illness before his passing.<\/p>\n
Fiji are on the brink of making the quarter-finals, and need only to beat Portugal to book a place against England in the last-eight.<\/p>\n
Tuisova has decided to represent his country in the encounter against the Portuguese, therefore deciding to miss his son\u2019s funeral.<\/p>\n
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According to Fiji Village, Tuisova\u2019s father has confirmed he will not return as he\u2019s taken the difficult decision to play for his son in his memory on the world stage instead. <\/p>\n
Tuisova, who was man of the match in an earlier tournament win against Australia, was videoed signing autographs for supporters after the win against Georgia but he was clearly emotional.<\/p>\n
Josua Tuisova spent over half an hour meeting and thanking fans after Fiji\u2019s win over Georgia. What a role model \u00f0\u009f\u00a4\u009d #rugby #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com\/JYp1A0tR5h<\/p>\n
A statement confirming the death of Tuisova\u2019s death said he passed away \u2018peacefully\u2019. <\/p>\n
\u2018With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Tito Micgabraph Donzel Ratulevu,\u2019 a statement read.<\/p>\n
\u2018He is the son of Mr Josua Tuisova and Mrs Katarina Ladoge Ramoce.<\/p>\n
\u2018Affectionately known as \u201cTito,\u201d he peacefully departed after a prolonged battle with a debilitating illness in Lautoka hospital.\u2019<\/p>\n