Jiuta Wainiqolo

Jiuta Wainiqolo arrived in the Top 14 with one of the most explosive reputations in world rugby, forged on the sevens circuit. The Fijian wing was part of the national side that won the gold medal at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, an achievement that remains the defining highlight of his career. After establishing himself in the fifteen-a-side game at Toulon, where he spent several seasons from 2021, he joined Lyon in 2025, bringing his trademark footwork and counter-attacking flair to the LOU back three. Wainiqolo is a genuine broken-field threat, capable of beating defenders in tight spaces with the evasion and acceleration honed in the abbreviated format. His ability to turn half-chances into line breaks makes him a constant danger on the wing and from deep, and he offers Lyon a finisher who can change a game in a single phase. The transition from sevens to the sustained physicality of French club rugby has demanded he add defensive consistency and aerial work to his game, areas he has continued to develop. For Lyon, he represents the kind of strike runner who thrives when given space, and his sevens pedigree ensures he is rarely far from a try-scoring opportunity.