As Fiji marks the passing of former president Ratu Epeli Nailatikau today, Olympic gold medallist and Fiji Airways Fiji men’s 7s head coach Osea Kolinisau has shared a personal memory of the late statesman that he says helped steady a team on the brink of doubt. Kolinisau recalled how a brief, forthright conversation with Ratu Epeli in Singapore in April 2016 helped reset the squad after a painful defeat.
Kolinisau said he and former teammate Emosi Mulevoro were at breakfast the morning after Fiji had lost a cup final 7-30 to Kenya when Ratu Epeli — who was in Singapore without visible security — stopped by, sat with them and offered simple encouragement. “What are you putting your head down for? You guys did a good job,” Kolinisau remembered, recounting the president’s words. “What are you putting your head down for? You are still ahead in the series.” Those few lines, Kolinisau said, were enough to allay doubts and shift the team’s focus to the next challenge.
That moment came at a pivotal point in the 2015/16 HSBC World Sevens Series. Kolinisau noted that the reassurance helped the players refocus and go on to win the 2015/16 series — a momentum that culminated in Fiji claiming the country’s first Olympic gold in rugby sevens at Rio 2016. For Kolinisau, Ratu Epeli’s demeanour — leadership tempered with humility — left a lasting impression. He emphasised how striking it was that the nation’s head of state moved and spoke freely with the players, drawing the surprised attention of other teams in the hotel, including members of the Scottish squad.
Kolinisau offered his condolences as the nation farewells the late Ratu Epeli today, describing the ex-president as a “dignified gentleman” whose presence carried calm and confidence. The tribute underscores how figures beyond the sport have played quiet but formative roles in Fiji’s rugby story; Kolinisau himself has often spoken about leadership and unity as cornerstones of the sevens programme, calling on players to demonstrate their worth and uphold those values.
The memory is particularly resonant for Fiji’s sevens side on a busy competition day. Kolinisau and his players will run out with the late president’s words in mind as they face Germany in their opening pool match at 5.11pm today. The team will carry the weight of national expectation in what the coach framed as “our home away from home,” drawing on past examples of steadiness and belief when under pressure.
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau’s passing has prompted tributes across sporting and civic circles, with Kolinisau’s recollection offering a small but telling example of the former president’s influence. In a moment of private counsel years ago, he provided a reset that contributed to one of Fiji’s most celebrated sporting years — a legacy the current team hopes to honour on the field today.
Leave a comment