Former Fiji 7s captain Isake Katonibau has praised Osea Kolinisau, his former teammate and current head coach of the Fiji Airways Fiji men’s 7s team, for his impressive work leading the national squad. Katonibau, who played alongside Kolinisau during their time under the notable coach Ben Ryan in the HSBC Sevens World Series, recognizes the strides the Fiji team has made since Kolinisau took the reins.
In an interview at Bidesi Park in Suva, where he was assisting a local rugby team, Katonibau expressed his admiration for Kolinisau’s coaching capabilities. “Oscar (Osea) Kolinisau has been doing a remarkable, really good job with the Fiji 7s team,” he stated, highlighting noticeable improvements over the past two years, particularly during the recent Dubai 7s tournament.
Katonibau noted the enhancements in the team’s defensive and offensive strategies, stating, “We can see the boys, the defense has improved, the way they attack has improved.” The team has successfully utilized an effective offloading game and defensive structure, which he attributes to Kolinisau’s leadership and the players’ growing synergy on the field.
Despite Fiji’s narrow 21-24 loss to New Zealand in the semi-final of the Dubai 7s, Katonibau emphasized the positives from the match and the overall trajectory of the team. He acknowledged that while there is still improvement needed, the progress made under Kolinisau’s guidance is evident.
Looking ahead to the Cape Town 7s, which begins tomorrow, Katonibau extended his best wishes to the national team. He emphasized the importance of mental preparation and recovery as key areas for the players, especially as they aim to end a seven-year drought for a cup trophy at this tournament. Fiji last triumphed at the Cape Town 7s in 2018 against the United States, and with Kolinisau at the helm, there is optimism for a successful outing.
The Fiji team will face formidable opponents in their pool matches, starting with South Africa, followed by Great Britain, and culminating in a clash with New Zealand. The road ahead is challenging, but the collective effort and improvements made by the team provide hope for a brighter future in the tournament.
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