The Fiji Rugby Union is seeking answers regarding the Fiji women’s rugby sevens team’s performance at the Paris Olympic Games in France.
Fiji Rugby High Performance Women’s manager Alana Thomas discussed the issue with SUNsports yesterday. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games bronze medallists faced a narrow 17-14 loss to Canada in their opening Pool A match, followed by a surprising 40-12 defeat by Olympic debutants China. Coached by Saiasi Fuli, the team now faces a tough challenge against New Zealand. Their chances of reaching the medal playoffs are slim even if they win.
Thomas commented on the difficult start to the Olympics. “The results after day one are disappointing,” she told SUNsports. She mentioned that the coaches and the programme manager with the team will be consulted for further insights. Despite good preparations and optimistic reports leading up to the event, the results did not meet expectations.
Thomas confirmed that a review of the Olympic teams is scheduled for August. This review could potentially lead to Fuli’s removal as head coach, as the team has not won any tournament in the HSBC SVNS outside of the Olympics.
“We conduct a review after all tournaments. We have a comprehensive Olympic review planned, like most High Performance teams or sports do after a significant event to assess the cycle. This is set for early August when the teams return from Paris,” Thomas explained.
She also addressed allegations from local coaches on Facebook, who claimed she prevented the women’s team from camping and influenced their training program. “Before my appointment, the players were contracted and placed in a centralized daily training routine, not in camps like the men. After reviewing one of the HSBC series legs, it was agreed to return the women’s team to a camp-based environment leading up to the Olympics. Training processes are discussed in reviews, but delivery on the field is the staff’s responsibility,” Thomas added.