The preparation standard of the current Fiji men’s rugby sevens team was far from what the gold medal-winning team of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games experienced. This was disclosed by Fiji men’s rugby sevens head coach, Ratu Osea Kolinisau, following their 28-7 loss to France, resulting in a silver medal at the Paris Olympic Games.
Kolinisau, who took over the team four months ago, explained, “Our preparation for the Olympics is a four-year phase and when I joined, we weren’t even close to that standard. I had to push the boys to their limits in a high-tempo game within a very limited time.”
Despite the challenges, Kolinisau expressed pride in the team’s achievement of reaching the Olympic final and securing a medal. “The boys were really shattered by the result. I told them to keep their heads high because they have won an Olympic silver medal, which is a big achievement for any athlete,” he noted.
Kolinisau, 38, faced significant criticism when he joined the team, with many believing his high standards were the reason for the squad’s struggles in the HSBC SVNS series. Sevens rugby experts even doubted Fiji’s chances of winning a medal. However, Kolinisau expressed satisfaction with the accomplishments of the young team.
Regarding captain Jerry Tuwai’s influence, Kolinisau remarked, “I am thankful for Jerry. He knew I would always bring him back because he understands how I want the game played. He knew the standards needed in the team. It will be a tough loss for Fiji rugby when Jerry retires. The legacy Jerry set will be hard to break and an inspiration to our upcoming athletes.”
Kolinisau acknowledged that France was the better team, taking their opportunities and converting them into points. “It is a tough job coaching Fiji, especially with the legacy Fiji has and the passionate rugby fans back home. No matter if it is a young side, our fans expect us to win, but we know we’ve worked really hard over these past few weeks.”
Referring to the criticisms some of his players have faced over the last two years concerning their performance in the sevens series, Kolinisau added, “To be able to have an Olympic medal is a bonus.”
He expressed gratitude to all who supported the team on their journey to Paris and apologized for not securing the gold medal this time around.