Kolinisau back home to steer Fiji Sevens to win Olympic gold

As he starts planning the defence of the gold medal in the sevens competition at the Olympic Games, Osea Kolinisau, the new coach of the Fiji men’s sevens team, met with members of the present squad on Monday morning.

The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) in Suva named Kolinisau as the new national team coach on Friday, taking over for Ben Gollings, who was fired on Thursday.

Fiji will have till the end of July, at the very least, to get ready before departing for France to defend the Olympic gold that they won in 2016 and 2020.

Prior to his dismissal, Gollings had received four warnings over his and the team’s performance, according to Peter Mazey, head of the FRU Trustees Board.

Gollings was fired last Thursday after coaching Fiji since 2022.

Despite having won three tournaments in his early career, including the Rugby World Cup 7s title, he has since lost all 19 World Rugby Sevens Series titles.

Mazey further disclosed that Kolinisau, who captained Fiji to the gold medal in sevens rugby at the 2016 Olympic Games, has been in communication with them since December 2023, indicating his desire to assume the coaching position.

Last week, a few of Kolinisau’s old sevens teammates who are part of the Stonewriters Legacy organisation came together in support of their former captain and declared their desire to have him as coach.

Through their Facebook page, the group showcased Kolinisau’s first meeting with the current players on Monday.

The Stonewriters have been asked to respond to Kolinisau’s appointment by RNZ Pacific.

“A talent for victory”

Randall Kamea, a former rugby representative who has been outspoken in his demands that FRU act regarding Gollings and the team’s dismal performance, said Kolinisau is a fantastic pick and ought to have been in place from the beginning.

“He’s got a knack being the best and getting the best out of people, as well as a knack for winning, which he proved countless times with Fiji and recently coaching the China women’s sevens team,” Kamea stated.

“He is a born leader who already enjoys the respect and loyalty of the team as well as the country. Because he’s one of the rare individuals who can make such a quick turnaround, Fiji rugby must give him carte blanche and support him wholeheartedly.”

Going one step further, Kamea demanded that double Olympic gold champion Jerry Tuwai be added back in.

Tuwai has not been a member of Gollings’ team since mid-2023.

“I hope Jerry [Tuwai] returns to the team. Especially in close games and major games, the team appears to lack field direction,” he remarked.

“Jerry leads by example and will be helpful in transferring this information to the following generation. A little more height and a mongrel in the forward positions would also be very beneficial.”

The Fiji men’s sevens team will be ready for the Singapore 7s in May and the Hong Kong 7s in the first week of April thanks to Kolinisau.

It is understood by RNZ that Kolinisau has brought both Tuwai and Vatemo Ravouvou, another former playmaker, back.

The Stade de France will host the Olympic Rugby Sevens competition in 2024 from July 24 to July 30.

Fuli remains

Mazey has disclosed that Saiyasi Fuli, the coach of the women’s sevens team, will continue to work with the team and get support while he gets them ready for the Olympics.

At the 2020 Olympic Games, the women’s sevens team from Fiji took home a bronze medal.

Since then, Fuli has failed to lead his squad to any tournament victories.

“Fuli is sticking around. He faces a few obstacles, but he thinks he can succeed. One of the things we’re doing is hiring specialists in areas where we can now identify a gap.

Mazey told reporters in Suva, “All of you have noticed what the gaps are, so we are going to go hunting around to find the best people that can help.”

As part of the FRU’s sevens rugby growth ambitions, there’s also a chance that former sevens coaches Ben Ryan and Gareth Baber, or former sevens wizard Waisale Serevi, might be appointed soon to take on the post of Fiji Sevens director.

Rugby World Cup in charge
Mazey also said that World Rugby will have the last word when it comes to the Flying Fijians head coach role.

Along with Fijian Drua coach Mick Byrne, acting coach Senirusi Seruvakula was a candidate for the role.

Seruvakula will be named in compliance with Fiji Immigration’s rules regarding persons who shadow foreign nationals in employment roles, RNZ Pacific been informed.

After three Flying Fijians coaches left, Seruvakula was named the next in line for the post, which was posted in late 2023.

According to Mazey, the FRU, the government, and World Rugby have an agreement that gives the latter the final say over hiring a coach.

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