Osea Kolinisau, the head coach of Fiji’s men’s rugby sevens team, is committed to leading the squad through to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He expressed his dedication upon the team’s arrival at Nadi International Airport yesterday. Kolinisau, who took over the coaching role just four months before the Paris Olympics, successfully guided the team to a silver medal.
“My heart has always been for Fiji, and I love the opportunity to develop this team for the next four years,” said Kolinisau, who captained the gold medal-winning team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He acknowledged the presence of many young players on the team but emphasized the importance of considering his family situation before making a long-term commitment. “If it is okay with the family, I’ll be excited if allowed to stay for four years,” he added.
Kolinisau plans to meet with the Fiji Rugby Union interim Trustees this week to present his report, with an expected decision on his future by next week. He had previously signed a six-month contract prior to the Olympics. “I want to stay, but it’s up to them. I’m proud of the core group of players we have right now. Many are between the ages of 24 to 26. We understand the standards we need to achieve and have a solid foundation to build upon if given the chance,” he stated.
Peter Mazey, chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union interim Trustees, praised Kolinisau’s efforts. “I am a fan of what he has done. He came in with just four months before the Olympics and led the team from not medaling in 22 tournaments to winning silver. That’s an incredible achievement,” Mazey noted. He mentioned Kolinisau’s desire to continue coaching, as his current contract runs until September, and assured that the board is willing to collaborate with him.
In regard to the women’s team’s performance at the Paris Olympics, which saw them finish last without winning a match, Mazey stated that the Trustees are looking to understand the team’s situation and indicated that Fuli, the women’s head coach, has expressed a desire to stop coaching women’s sevens and instead focus on coaching the 15s format. They are expected to receive reports in the upcoming Trustees meeting to discuss the matter further.