The Fiji Airways men’s rugby sevens team is under pressure to improve ahead of the Vancouver leg of the World Sevens Series after a disappointing exit in the quarter-finals of the Perth 7s. They lost 0-19 to South Africa in a match marred by indiscipline, resulting in two yellow cards for players Joji Nasova and Iowane Teba. Nasova was penalized for throwing the ball away, while Teba’s infraction led to a professional foul. The defeat was compounded by a penalty try awarded to South Africa in the second half.

In reflecting on discipline, head coach Osea Kolinisau had highlighted its importance leading up to the tournament. “We need to be stricter on our tackles because there are lots of high tackles, and that is what we don’t want,” he noted. Prior to facing South Africa, Fiji had displayed flashes of brilliance, including a commanding 33-5 win over New Zealand in their final pool match, which made their inconsistent performance in the knockout stage all the more perplexing.

While the loss to South Africa signals potential movement down the World Sevens Series standings, it also serves as a wake-up call for the team to eliminate errors and tighten their gameplay. After the defeat, the team still had the chance to compete for fifth place, where they faced France, underscoring the ongoing need for adjustment and cohesion as they head into their next tournament.

In a parallel, the Fijiana team experienced its own challenges, finishing ninth in Perth after beating Great Britain 26-17. Their performance reveals a determination to develop and improve despite setbacks in earlier matches.

Fans remain hopeful that both teams will capitalize on these lessons and develop more consistency in their performances as they look to reshape their standings in upcoming tournaments. The spirit of Fijian rugby endures, and with a resolute focus on discipline and growth, there may be many promising opportunities on the horizon.