Osea’s back: Fiji expects as Olympic hero Kolonisau returns to sevens sidelines

This is the former Fijian legend’s first sevens competition as head coach, the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. Tom Mitchell recalls the incredible athlete and man who rose to prominence.

The things you remember are humorous.

In 2012, I had my first encounter with Osea in Las Vegas. I recall seeing him in the shared changing rooms, his enormous wig bobbing along, his hunched figure running shuttles back and forth to the community facilities because something had upset his stomach. Not everyone is suited for the Las Vegas diet.

Soon after our initial meeting, I discovered that he was the pivotal point of the Fijian side at that particular moment. For years to come, he would stay in that pivotal capacity. Having already won two consecutive series titles as the esteemed captain of his Fijian squad, he entered the 2016 Rio Olympics with high national expectations.

Having won the game’s grand prize, he will always be remembered in Fijian history. His picture is on the seven-dollar bill, and his gold medal will always be associated with him. But how will his legacy be shaped by a new chapter as the head coach of his nation?

He was a pillar of the team as a player, especially after Ben Ryan became coach in 2013. It’s possible that Osea upset the previous management by insisting that his other players receive equitable compensation, which led to his dismissal.

For Osea, Ryan reignited his career. Acknowledging his leadership abilities and skill as a player, he appointed him captain and designated him as one of the team’s “cultural architects.”

“He has mana,” as they say on the islands, which is a respect and presence, said Ryan. He adheres to a strict moral code.

In sports, it is uncommon for a coach to gain the players’ instant respect. But I have a feeling that Fiji’s current players have been listening intently to whatever Osea says since he first entered the room.

He has experienced it firsthand. Additionally, not too long ago. The majority would have gathered around their TVs to witness him in Rio take a knee in order to accept his gold medal. It has turned into a legendary moment in the sport.

However, in order to score a victory and maintain the support of the crowd, he will need to delve into the specifics of their game, even though gravitas and respect will remain the fundamental cornerstones. Osea may concentrate on this as, according to Ryan, he “knows fitness and discipline are keys to allow the Fijian team to do their thing.”

Ben Gollings, the recently fired coach of the Fiji men’s sevens team, will attest to the harsh nature of the job in many aspects. However, the rewards and opportunities are substantial: managing a national sport that, to many on the archipelago, occasionally resembles a religion and working with a pipeline of gifted sevens players.

Osea doesn’t have a long coaching resume. Leading China’s women to the Asia Sevens Series a few years back was the most noteworthy assignment.

However, he has not made a living as a professional coach. Osea relocated to the USA and worked mostly in security after hanging up his boots in order to support his family.

However, Ben Ryan, a former coach, believes he will succeed. “Osea is without a doubt one of the guys you see who will be incredible coaches, if not the best one.”

His style of play is definitely conducive to succeeding in the top position. He possessed flawless fundamentals and exuded confidence when playing. Despite his insane abilities, he consistently led his group of joyous, roving men. He was the one who sketched it out and made the connections, with an abundance of X-factor all around him.

Where better to make his debut in the new role than Hong Kong, home of the most recent installment of the HSBC SVNS 2024 series?

Over the years, the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens has produced a number of iconic Fijian moments, including the first-ever Hong Kong trophy win by a Fijian team in 1977, William Ryder’s absurdity, and Waisale Serevi’s one-handed run in.

On this stop of the sevens circuit, Fiji has won 19 titles, matching the amount of competitions in which they have lost recently. Despite the unprecedented drought, Hong Kong has a way of bringing out the best in the stars dressed in white.

Osea will more than anyone want to manifest some more magical experiences after winning the trophy in Hong Kong as a player.

My body bears the scars of my attempt to prevent Osea from scoring the opening try in the Rio Olympic final. During the demolition job Fiji perpetrated on my Great Britain team, I attempted a dejected tackle. However, there aren’t many players that I would have preferred to lose to for their grace and character.

The events that followed were historic for Fiji, putting them as medal winners on the Olympic map for the first time and igniting joy throughout the nation. National pride is a strong emotion in Fiji, but on the day when Osea and Co. won that game, it was overwhelming and gushing into the Pacific.

Coach Osea has consequently established his own standard. It is extraordinarily elevated. Though Fijian supporters will undoubtedly be hoping for some hardware, I am excited to see his dazzling face beside a sevens pitch once more.

FOR MORE CONTENT CLICK HERE