The current Fiji men’s rugby sevens team’s preparation fell short compared to the rigorous training undertaken by the gold medal team of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, according to head coach Ratu Osea Kolinisau. Following their 28-7 defeat to France and securing a silver medal at the Paris Olympic Games, Kolinisau reflected on their journey.
“I took over coaching this team four months ago,” Kolinisau stated. “Olympic preparations span a four-year period, and we were nowhere near ready when I joined. I had to push the team to their limits under very constrained time conditions in a high-paced game.”
Despite the challenges, Kolinisau expressed pride in their accomplishment of reaching the Olympics final and winning a silver medal. “The players were devastated by the loss, but I told them to hold their heads high. Winning an Olympic silver medal is a significant achievement for any athlete,” he said.
Kolinisau, 38, faced considerable criticism upon joining, with many doubting his high standards and attributing the team’s struggles in the HSBC SVNS series to his methods. Rugby sevens experts did not expect Fiji to clinch a medal. However, Kolinisau is pleased with the young team’s achievements.
Regarding captain Jerry Tuwai’s influence, Kolinisau praised him, saying, “I am grateful for Jerry. He understood my approach to the game and upheld the required standards. His eventual retirement will be a significant loss for Fiji rugby. Jerry’s legacy will be hard to match and will continue to inspire future athletes.”
Kolinisau acknowledged France’s superior performance in turning opportunities into points. “Coaching Fiji comes with high expectations due to the sport’s legacy and our passionate fans. Even with a young team, there’s an expectation to win. We’ve worked incredibly hard over the past few weeks,” he explained.
Addressing recent criticisms faced by his players in the sevens series, Kolinisau highlighted that winning an Olympic medal was a welcome bonus. He extended his gratitude to supporters and apologized for not securing the gold medal this time around.