Every day is a learning day - Tuima

By Alfie Martin
20/11/18

Exeter youngster Rus Tuima says life at the Chiefs is all about learning as he takes his first significant steps into senior rugby.

As one of 14 players promoted from the club’s highly-successful Academy set-up last summer, Tuima has settled well to life at Sandy Park, a point emphasised at the weekend when he bagged two tries for the Exeter Braves in their 57-19 victory over Gloucester in the Premiership Rugby Shield.

The Fijian-born forward – who is also gleaning experience this season with Plymouth Albion in National League One – put in another notable display in the Exeter engine-room.

Speaking after the win, the 18-year-old said: “It feels great, obviously I couldn’t do it without the work put in by the rest of the team. It was a big hard graft from the boys today and you’ve got to give credit to them. I’m happy to be here and get two tries in as well.”

Having been part of the club’s academy side for a number of years, featuring predominantly in the back-row, Tuima showed his versatility in this latest performance, moving up alongside fellow lock Josh Caulfield.

“I was at second row today and I found it really useful to go from back row to second row,” he added. “It’s good to have both positions under my belt because it gives me more opportunities for game time. For me it doesn’t matter, it’s just about getting my head down and cracking on with the job.

The young prospect has proven himself a real force to be reckoned with and hails the guidance of the club for making him the player he is today.

“Being at the club really is a learning curve for me. I’m just trying to adjust myself in to men’s rugby still and I’m always learning. Like I say, I’m just keen to crack on and do the best I can do.

“I’ve got mentors all around me here at the club like Dave Ewers, Dave Dennis and Tom Lawday. We obviously have a lot of talent and they’ve all helped me improve my game over my time here.”

It’s no secret that Chiefs coaches aren’t afraid to show off the seemingly bottomless depth of talent they have at their disposal, affording the likes of Tuima and his fellow rookies the opportunity to make a name for themselves on the big stage.

“From the coaches’ perspective, they’ve got a lot of choice and it’s great that they have that trust in us to go out and get the job done. It’s all thanks to them for giving us the opportunity to get out on the field,” he continued.