Fiji Rugby Announces Strategic Changes in Sevens Rugby Coaching Staff

March 8, 2024, Suva, Fiji In an effort to compete for Olympic gold in the next Summer Olympics in France, Fiji Rugby today announced major changes to its sevens rugby coaching staff. After a comprehensive evaluation of performance on the HSBC Sevens Series, it was decided that some strategic changes would be required to guarantee that the path towards medal achievement continues unwavering.

Fiji Rugby has made the collective decision to sever ties with Ben Gollings after giving it some thought, since he has failed to live up to the organization’s high standards and expectations. Although Fiji Rugby acknowledges his achievements, it feels that new ideas and experience are needed to perform at the best level on the global arena.

“With sorrowful hearts, we say goodbye to Ben Gollings. Mr. Peter Mazey, Chairman of Fiji Rugby, said, “His commitment and efforts are praiseworthy, but we have to focus on our main objective of winning gold for Fiji in sevens rugby at the Summer Olympics.

Fiji Rugby is happy to announce Osea Kolinisau’s appointment as the new coach of the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team, in keeping with this dedication to quality. With a plethora of experience and a successful track record at the highest level of competition—including the first-ever gold medal for Fiji—Kolinisau also provides a profound understanding of the particular requirements of elite sevens rugby.

“We are certain that our new coach will offer the strategic direction, leadership, and guidance required to improve our sevens rugby team’s performance and set Fiji up for success at the Summer Olympics,” Mr. Mazey continued.

Ian Gibbons, a seasoned strength and conditioning coach with an immaculate record as a high-performance coach with a focus on rugby 7s and XVs, will assist Kolinisau. Naca Cawanibuka, who joins as a consultant, will collaborate with Gibbons, who was previously the S&C Coach for the Saracens Rugby, US Men’s Soccer team, Seattle Seawolves, and Japan Rugby Union. The Fiji Airways Fijian team has expressed satisfaction with Gibbons’ contributions since he joined the squad before to the Vancouver 7s competition.

The choice to continue this course was not taken lightly, and it was not influenced in any way by factors outside of Rugby House, as Fijian contract rules required that procedures be followed. On December 8th, Kolinisau reached out to Fiji Rugby with an Expression of Interest. We then kept in touch with him to discuss his willingness to coach and improve the team’s performance. FRU would want to clarify that due process and conversations with specialists within the rugby fraternity were followed in making the decision, rather than being made under pressure.

The players and technical staff of the national 7s team met with the FRU Board of Trustees and Management this morning to reiterate their unwavering support for both the last leg of the 7s series and the Summer Olympics. In order to oversee our Sevens Rugby programme, FRU also plans to create a post called “Director of 7s Rugby,” hiring professionals such as Waisele Serevi, Gareth Barber, or Ben Ryan.

Ben Gollings is thanked by Fiji Rugby for his services and is wished well in all of his future undertakings. The organisation is eager to start this new chapter with a fresh focus and an unrelenting dedication to proudly and exceptionally represent Fiji on the international arena.

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