Tragic Death of Castres and Fiji Star Josaia Raisuqe at 30
A devastating incident has claimed the life of Josaia Raisuqe, the 30-year-old wing for Castres and former Fiji sevens star, who tragically died on May 8 after being hit by a train at a level crossing. According to reports, Raisuqe was involved in a road accident in the morning, and the news has sent shockwaves throughout the rugby world.
The incident has left his team-mates at Castres reeling, with the club releasing a statement confirming that they had been informed of the devastating news. The team’s Top 14 match with Clermont Auvergne has been postponed as a mark of respect. The Castres team-mates were released from their training obligations following the news.
Raisuqe was a highly regarded player, known for his exceptional skills on the pitch. His former coach, Xavier Péméja, paid a glowing tribute to the player, describing him as "an absolutely adorable boy". Péméja, who coached Raisuqe during his time at USON Nevers, recalled the player’s dedication to training, saying: "He was always the first in training, whether it was raining, windy, or snowing. On the pitch, he was capable of incredible flashes of brilliance. He did us a world of good when he arrived at the club. All his opponents feared him; he was a try-scoring machine."
According to Planet Rugby, Raisuqe was born and raised in Fiji and earned his first call-up to the sevens squad in 2015 after being spotted by then-head coach Ben Ryan. This marked the beginning of a successful career, which saw him play for several top-tier clubs, including Stade Francais and USON Nevers. Péméja revealed that he had recruited Raisuqe quickly after the player’s off-field setback, saying: "After his little off-field setback, I recruited him in one day, it happened very quickly. My president and I decided to trust him, and we made the right choice."
Raisuqe’s impressive career also saw him feature at the Olympic Games in Paris last year, where Fiji won a silver medal after being beaten in the final by hosts France. The player had also signed for Castres in 2021 and was set to join Brive ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The rugby community has rallied around Raisuqe’s family and loved ones, with Top 14 leaders Toulouse offering their condolences on social media. A statement from the club read: "Toulouse were shocked to learn of the death of Josaia Raisuqe this morning in a road accident. The entire club wishes to express its support and sincere condolences to his family, loved ones and his club, Castres Olympique." As reported by Planet Rugby, the news of Raisuqe’s passing has sent shockwaves throughout the rugby world, with many paying tribute to his exceptional talent and dedication to the sport.
The incident serves as a reminder of the fragility of life, and the rugby community will undoubtedly miss Raisuqe’s exceptional talent and dedication to the sport. As the news continues to unfold, our thoughts are with Raisuqe’s family, loved ones, and his club, Castres Olympique. According to Planet Rugby, the club and the wider rugby community will be mourning the loss of a talented and dedicated player.
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