YOUNG GUNS

NEALE HARVEY
RUS TUIMA EXETER NO.8

At 6ft 5ins (1.96m) and 19st (121kgs), Rus Tuima cuts an imposing figure. Little wonder the powers- that-be among Exeter’s coaching staff are so excited about the prospects for an 18-year-old No.8 who counts Billy Vunipola and Nathan Hughes among his role models and was brought up admiring his uncle, the powerful Fijian back row and captain, Akapusi Qera.
The son of a naval serviceman based in Plymouth, Tuima left Fiji when he was five and found his way via Devonport Services RFC to Exeter’s satellite academy at Ivybridge.
After a stint at Ex...

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