Fiji Airways men’s rugby sevens head coach Osea Kolinisau is set to evaluate his squad at the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s tournament, beginning tomorrow. He has selected 14 players, while others will compete for Mike Friday’s Select 7s team, with the ultimate goal of securing spots for the upcoming HSBC SVNS Perth tournament from January 24-26.

Kolinisau acknowledged that several players are currently sidelined due to injuries, but he anticipates their return to the field during the event at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka. “We aim to test our combinations this week at the Coral Coast; this isn’t the final team,” he emphasized, asserting that players in Mike Friday’s lineup are also in contention for Perth.

Additionally, Kolinisau is focusing on enhancing key area aspects such as communication, defensive structure, kickoffs, and set pieces. “I want to see improvement in one-on-one tackling and quick decision-making on the field,” he stated. He further advised players to stay alert, even when the ball is away from them, reinforcing the importance of constant readiness during matches.

In preparation for the Coral Coast tournament, the squad recently held a scrimmage session with Lavidi Brothers and the Police sevens team at Bidesi Park, which helped identify areas requiring improvement. Kolinisau expressed gratitude for the good weather during training, considering it vital to acclimatizing the team for the expected heat in Perth.

The Fiji 7s team is drawn in Pool MA alongside New Zealand Sevens two, Tuva, and Brothers. After the Coral Coast event concludes, Kolinisau will finalize the team for the Perth tournament.

Overall, the approach taken by Kolinisau displays a proactive strategy focusing not only on immediate performance but also the long-term development of the players. This tournament serves as a vital opportunity for the team to showcase their abilities, ensuring they remain competitive on the international stage while motivating upcoming Fijian talents.