Kolinisau sets LA 2028 gold as Fiji sevens frame mission around Vuvale at FRU symposium
Fiji’s men’s rugby sevens head coach Osea Kolinisau said the nation’s aim is to win gold at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, outlining the plan during day one of the Fiji Rugby Union symposium at Albert Park in Suva.
“Our goal towards LA 2028 after the Olympics in France is to win gold and our theme is Vuvale and Vuvale means family,” Kolinisau declared. He noted Fiji’s Olympic history, acknowledging two gold medals from Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021, but said the silver in Paris last year “hasn’t sat well with me.”
“I’ve told the boys that we have unfinished business, and we should go back and try and get back the legacy that belongs to us, and that is getting another gold in USA in 2028,” he stressed. For Kolinisau, the mission is rooted in vuvale (family), which he says formed the genesis of many things before players became part of the Fiji Rugby family. The theme builds on the vealomani spirit from 2016, the year Fiji first won Olympic gold under then-coach Ben Ryan.
“You can see that we have two gold medals and a silver, and the legacy we have always wanted is for Fiji to win the gold,” Kolinisau added, describing the goal as a driving force for both players and coaching staff.
The symposium, which continued beyond Monday and runs through Friday, is shaping conversations about the team’s pathway to 2028. Kolinisau stressed the importance of sustaining a high standard and building on Fiji’s Olympic heritage to keep Fiji at the forefront of rugby sevens.
As part of the broader context, interim Fiji Rugby Union Trustees have been engaging with Kolinisau about the long-term plan. He signed a six-month contract prior to the Paris Olympics, and he is set to present his report to the Trustees this week, with a decision expected soon. The board has indicated support for continuing with the current nucleus of players, many aged between 24 and 26, who form a solid foundation for the road ahead.
Context from the Trustees also touched on the women’s sevens team, which faced challenges at Paris, finishing last, and the broader organizational tasks ahead as they review outcomes and leadership roles for the 15s format in some coaching transitions.
Summary
Kolinisau’s remarks underscore Fiji’s ambition to extend its gold-medal legacy in Olympic sevens by 2028. Framing the mission around family and continuity with a young core, he signals a long-term plan that goes beyond the next Olympics to sustain Fiji’s position at the top of the sport.
Context and outlook
– The Vuvale theme emphasizes family, community, and shared responsibility as core to player development and national support.
– A core group of players aged 24–26 provides a platform for gradual growth and experience-building across the next Olympic cycle.
– Contractual arrangements and Trustee oversight indicate a collaborative approach to leadership continuity, with potential for ongoing involvement if the board approves.
– The discussions around the women’s program and other rugby structures suggest a broader review of Fiji rugby’s competitive landscape ahead of 2028.
Positive note
The focus on unity, heritage, and a clear four-year plan offers a hopeful path for Fiji to further cement its status as a rugby sevens powerhouse, turning the Paris silver into momentum toward gold in Los Angeles.
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