The level of preparation for the current Fiji men’s rugby sevens team was significantly lower compared to the gold medal-winning team of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. This was disclosed by Fiji men’s rugby sevens head coach, Ratu Osea Kolinisau, following their 28-7 loss to France, which earned them a silver medal at the Paris Olympic Games.
“I took on the coaching role for this team four months ago,” Kolinisau stated. “Our Olympic preparation spans four years, and we were far from that standard when I joined. I had to push the boys to their limits with very limited time in a high tempo game.”
Kolinisau expressed pride in the team’s achievement of reaching the Olympics final and winning a medal. “The boys were really shattered by the result. I told them to keep their heads high because securing an Olympic silver medal is a significant accomplishment for any athlete,” he said.
The 38-year-old coach mentioned that there was a lot of criticism when he joined the team, as many believed his high standards were the reason behind their struggles in the HSBC SVNS series. Rugby sevens experts also doubted Fiji’s chances of winning a medal. However, Kolinisau felt satisfied with the young team’s achievements.
Regarding captain Jerry Tuwai’s influence, Kolinisau said, “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 required in the team. Jerry’s eventual retirement will be a significant loss for Fiji rugby. The legacy he set will be hard to surpass and will inspire our upcoming athletes.”
Kolinisau acknowledged that France was the better team in the end, converting their opportunities into points. “Coaching Fiji is a tough job, especially with the legacy Fiji has and our passionate rugby fans back home. Even with a young side, our fans expect us to win, but we’ve worked very hard over these past few weeks.”
“I know some of my players have faced criticism over the last two years regarding their performance in the sevens’ series, but achieving an Olympic medal is a bonus,” he said.
Kolinisau extended his gratitude to everyone who supported them on the road to Paris and apologized for not securing the gold medal this time around.