International rugby referee Rasta Rasivhenge has praised Fiji Airways Fiji men’s 7s head coach Osea Kolinisau, calling his transition from player to coach “phenomenal.” Having been involved with Kolinisau since 2008, when Rasivhenge began refereeing and Kolinisau was still competing, Rasivhenge noted that the former Fiji 7s captain has effectively adapted to his coaching role.
Kolinisau’s deep understanding of the game, honed through experiences under previous coaches Gareth Baber and Ben Ryan, has enabled him to implement effective strategies and mentor the team. Rasivhenge emphasized that this knowledge will be crucial as Fiji prepares for the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Kolinisau has also demonstrated his commitment to developing new talent by integrating younger players into the national team, ensuring they learn the essential skills for high-level competition. Rasivhenge highlighted Kolinisau’s efforts in preparing these newcomers, stating, “What I’ve loved about what Osea Kolinisau has done is he’s brought in a lot of youngsters into the team.”
Additionally, Kolinisau recently fielded a team at the Rooster Chicken Grassroots Sevens Tournament at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, providing players with vital exposure to competitive play and enhancing their performance levels. Rasivhenge commended this initiative, affirming that it will greatly benefit the team moving forward.
With Kolinisau at the helm, the Fiji men’s 7s team seems well-positioned for future success, holding the promise of an exciting journey towards the next Olympic Games.
Leave a comment