Castres and Fiji star tragically dies aged 30 after being hit by train

Castres wing Josaia Raisuqe has died at the age of 30 after a tragic incident before training on Thursday.

Although exact details have yet to be confirmed, the former Fiji sevens star was reportedly involved in a road accident when he was hit by a train at a level crossing in the morning of May 8.

After being informed of the devastating news, his Castres team-mates were released from training obligations while their Top 14 match with Clermont Auvergne is set to be postponed.

‘Absolutely adorable boy’

Former coach Xavier Péméja said: “It’s incredibly violent. Josaia was an absolutely adorable boy. 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.”

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.

That prompted a move to Top 14 Stade Francais, who spotted his talents while playing on the World Rugby Sevens Series. He remained in Paris for two years before being fired for ‘gross misconduct’.

USON Nevers, and specifically head honcho Péméja, then offered a route back to rugby and Raisuqe would remain at the club for the next four years.

“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,” the Fijian’s former boss added.

Raisuqe signed for Castres in 2021, playing in both the backs and the forwards, and he had been set to join Brive ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The Fiji star also featured at the Olympic Games in Paris last year, where they won a silver medal after being beaten in the final by hosts France.

Condolences

His current club have yet to comment, but Top 14 leaders Toulouse took to X, formerly Twitter, to offer their condolences.

“Toulouse were shocked to learn of the death of Josaia Raisuqe this morning in a road accident,” they wrote.

“The entire club wishes to express its support and sincere condolences to his family, loved ones and his club, Castres Olympique.”

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