Jope Tuikabe

Date of birth	(1966-11-27) November 27, 1966 (age 57)
Place of birth	Fiji
Height	198 cm (6 ft 6 in)
Weight	95 kg (209 lb)
Occupation(s)	Soldier
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) Army () International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1999-2001   Fiji 18 (60) National sevens team Years Team Comps 1996-?   Fiji 1997

Jope Tuikabe (born 27 November 1966) is a Fijian former rugby union and rugby sevens player. He played as a flanker.

He has played for Fiji sevens since 1996. ^[1] One year later, he was called up for the 1997 Rugby World Cup Sevens, which the Fijians won. ^[2] He was elected as a star of tournament's team. ^[3] Following the tournament, Post Fiji issued a series of stamps commemorating the winning team, which also included Waisale Serevi, Taniela Qauqau, Leveni Duvuduvukula, Inoke Maraiwai, Aminiasi Naituyaga, Lemeki Koroi, Marika Vunibaka, Luke Erenavula and Manasa Bari. ^{[4] [5]} However, the Fijians did not manage to defend their title at the 2001 Rugby World Cup Sevens, as they were eliminated in the semi-finals of the main tournament after losing to Australia. ^[6] Overall, Tuikabe scored nine tries in both of these tournaments. ^[7] He appeared twice in the Commonwealth Games: in Kuala Lumpur 1998 ^{[8] [9]} and Manchester 2002, ^[10] winning a silver medal in both tournaments after their final defeats against New Zealand. ^[11] He, however won the rugby sevens tournament at the 2001 World Games. ^[12] He also took part at the IRB Sevens World Series during the 1999/2000, ^{[13] [14]} 2000/2001 ^[15] and 2001/2002 ^[16] seasons. During three years of appearances in the rugby union squad, he played in 20 matches, including 17 official international matches, scoring 15 points - all tries. ^{[17] [18]} In 2001, thanks to his performances in both squads, he was awarded the Player of the Year Award. ^[19] He was a soldier by profession ^[20] and trained the Army rugby sevens team, ^{[21] [22]} and at international level he was in the coaching staff as assistant coach ^{[23] [24]} or head coach. ^{[25] [26]}

References

External links

• Jope Tuikabe international statistics at ESPN Scrum
• Jope Tuikabe at itsrugby.co.uk