The life of one of the gems of Fijian rugby will be made known publicly today in a book called ‘Emperor Bosco’.
The book will be launched by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama at the Suva Civic Centre this evening.
It describes the life of former national captain, former Fiji Rugby Union chief executive officer, and former Fiji High Commissioner in London, Pio ‘Bosco’ Tikoisuva.
Bosco, now 74, of Qeleni, Taveuni, played 19 Tests between 1968 to 1979.
He is regarded as one of the best Fijian rugby players to date.
“When I left England in 2011 as a high commissioner, there were quite a number of autobiographies and biographies of players in England, Wales, and even the All Blacks that motivated me to compose mine,” he said.
“It was a challenging and exciting task putting together the memories of my life in rugby in an autobiography. Percy Kean and his crew did a marvellous job in the editing and I am very thankful.
“The cover of my autobiography had my final year in England when I was studying and playing for Harlequins on the front page of the rugby world magazine. The name Emperor Bosco was a name given to me by a fan back then.”
Tikoisuiva is best remembered as the skipper of the Fiji team that beat the champion British Lions team in 1977 at the then Buckhurst Park in Suva which is now the ANZ Stadium.
World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont who also played with Tikoisuva said: “Every so often, a player emerges who catches your eye. Pio Bosco Tikoisuva is most definitely one of those. A trailblazer, he is one of the first overseas internationals to ply his trade in an English club. There is no doubt that Pio should be regarded as a great of Fiji Rugby.”
The launch of the Emperor Bosco book starts at 6pm.
