Elizabeth Osifelo/PACNEWS

"I must say, Ireland is a good team; we expected that game to be like that.

"We came too close to the wire, and we just kept praying throughout the second half for strength.

"I am grateful for the hard work put into the game by the boys," Tuwai said.

In a thrilling encounter, Fiji narrowly edged out Ireland 19-15, securing their place in the semi-finals.

Reflecting on the match, Tuwai expressed, "We fought; we fought to the very last minute."

With the successes of Fiji Men’s Rugby Sevens in the past two Olympic Games, Tuwai remains humble.

"One Olympic gold medal under my belt is enough to make a man humble.

"The second one, I am just grateful, and if God is willing, a third gold would be a blessing beyond measure," he said.

Named World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year in 2019, Tuwai was part of the team that clinched Fiji's first Olympic Gold at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and their second at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Now, leading his team to the semi-finals of his third Olympic Games, Tuwai is once again on the biggest sporting stage in Paris.

Fiji will face fellow Oceania brothers Australia in the semi-final of the Rugby Sevens Men’s Competition at 4PM local time on 27 July, at the Stade de France Stadium in Paris.

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