Fiji Airways’ Fiji 7s men’s coach, Osea Kolinisau, expressed frustration after the team’s narrow 12-10 defeat to South Africa in the cup semi-finals at the Vancouver 7s. Upon arrival at Nadi International Airport, Kolinisau emphasized that there are no excuses for the loss, stating, “We had plenty of opportunities, but we just didn’t cover them.”
Kolinisau pointed to the red card issued to South Africa, which granted Fiji a numerical advantage, yet the team failed to maintain control. “When we got that leg up, we lost it by going back to individual play. Instead of executing our strategy, we rushed our game,” he reflected. The initial plan was focused on attacking South Africa’s defense on the edges, but the team struggled to stick to that approach.
The coach noted that after scoring their first try and leading 5-0, there was no need to rush their game plan. “We could have controlled the match, played to our system, and created scoring opportunities effectively.” He also acknowledged that South Africa capitalized on Fiji’s failure to convert several try opportunities, stating that they missed four or five chances in the first half alone and managed to convert only one of two in the second.
Kolinisau highlighted the emotional impact of the loss on the team, explaining that it “hurt” the players because they believed the tournament was within their grasp. Despite falling to third place in the standings and trailing Argentina and Spain, he remains optimistic about their chances in the upcoming Hong Kong and Singapore Sevens. “We need to polish our ball possession, improve our decision-making, and refine our strategy moving forward,” he assured.
The team is set to regroup and focus on their weaknesses before their next competition, demonstrating resilience and commitment to improvement. With Kolinisau at the helm, there is a clear path forward as the players aim to learn from their recent experiences and emerge stronger in future tournaments.
In light of their challenges and potential, fans of Fijian rugby can remain hopeful as the team prepares to rebound in the coming events, capturing the spirit of resilience that embodies Fijian rugby.
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