The standard of preparation for the current Fiji men’s rugby sevens team was far from what the gold medal-winning team of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games experienced.
This was disclosed yesterday by Fiji men’s rugby sevens head coach, Ratu Osea Kolinisau, following their 28-7 loss to France, earning them the silver medal at the Paris Olympic Games.
“I took over this team four months ago,” he stated.
“Our preparation for the Olympics typically spans four years, and we were not even close to that standard when I joined. I had to push the boys to their limits with very limited time and in a high-tempo game.”
Kolinisau expressed pride in their achievement of reaching the Olympics final and securing a medal.
“The boys were really shattered by the result. I told them to keep their heads high because they have won an Olympic silver medal, which is a big achievement for any athlete,” he remarked.
The 38-year-old mentioned that there were many critics when he took over because many thought he had set high standards for the players, which was blamed for their lack of impact in the HSBC SVNS series. Sevens rugby experts also doubted Fiji’s chances of winning a medal. Kolinisau said he was much happier with the accomplishments of this young team.
When asked about captain Jerry Tuwai’s influence, Kolinisau said: “I am thankful for Jerry. He knew I would always get him back because he understands how I want the game played.”
“He knew the standards required in the team. Jerry’s retirement will be a significant loss for Fiji rugby. The legacy he set will be hard to surpass and will inspire our future athletes.”
Kolinisau acknowledged that France was the better team by taking their opportunities and converting them into points.
“It is a tough job coaching Fiji, especially with the legacy Fiji has and the passionate rugby fans back home. Even if it is a young side, our fans expect us to win, but we know we’ve worked really hard for these couple of weeks.”
“I know some of my players have faced criticisms over the last two years regarding their performance in the sevens series, but to win an Olympic medal is a bonus,” he said.
Kolinisau expressed his gratitude to everyone who supported them on their journey to Paris and apologized for not securing the gold medal this time.
Feedback: josua.buredua@fijisun.com.fj