Despite the disappointing performance, Team Fiji 7s women’s head coach Saiasi Fuli stated that criticism about the team is quite normal for him.
“It’s normal for me,” Fuli remarked during an interview in Paris on Tuesday.
Fuli mentioned that in a nation as passionate about sevens rugby as Fiji, expectations are always high for players to deliver their best.
“The pressure is always high when coaching sevens,” he said.
“I have managed myself well while coaching this team, helping our team move from 14th position to sixth on the points table, especially over the last three years, taking good care of the team.”
Fuli acknowledged the disappointment with the results but recognized it as the reality of rugby, which they have to accept.
“Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose – it is all part of the game.”
“I am accountable for the performance of the team, and while the result is disappointing – the Olympics come every four years,” he said.
Fuli added that although they cannot change the result, they can return, learn from the experience, and prepare for upcoming games.
The Fijiana side finished last at the France Olympics. In their Pool A games, the team lost 17-14 to Canada, then were overwhelmed 40-12 by Olympic debutants China, and in their last game, they were thrashed by eventual gold medal winners New Zealand 38-7.
Captained by Raijieli Daveua, the side was stunned by Brazil 28-22 in the ninth spot playoff and sent home by South Africa 21-15 in the 11th position match, finishing 12th overall.
Fijiana had previously won the bronze at the Japan Olympics in 2021.