Fiji’s men’s 7s coach Osea Kolinisau expressed that the newly implemented HSBC SVNS format has proven to be exceptionally rigorous, emphasizing that consistency and defensive discipline have become crucial elements for success. These remarks came on the heels of Fiji’s hard-fought 26–19 victory against France, which secured them third place in Cape Town.
Despite the triumph, Kolinisau acknowledged that the team had not met their goal of progressing further in the tournament. However, he commended his players for their resilience in responding to the challenging circumstances. “We’re happy with the boys’ performance against France. We’re disappointed… but I’m happy the boys bounced back,” he stated.
Kolinisau described the revised tournament structure—where every pool match is treated with the urgency of a knockout game—as unforgiving. He noted, “This format is tough and we try to stay consistent. We weren’t as consistent as we wanted to be, but I’m happy we came out with the points in this last game.”
Reflecting on Fiji’s quarter-final loss to Argentina, Kolinisau admitted that his team’s weaknesses were exposed. He praised Argentina’s tactics, highlighting how they controlled the ball in the first half, which led to numerous mistakes from Fiji. “Kudos to Argentina. We went and talked with the boys about what’s important. We wanted to win against France… to stay in touch at the top of the table,” he added.
Looking ahead, Kolinisau emphasized the critical need to strengthen Fiji’s defensive strategies, an area he has been focusing on intensively in recent weeks. After the Cape Town leg of the tournament, Fiji walks away tied on 32 points with South Africa and New Zealand at the top of the men’s standings, showcasing their potential as they continue their journey in the series.
Fiji’s determination to hone their defensive play and their ability to bounce back from setbacks are positive indicators for the team as they move forward in the competition.
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