According to a report by Reuters, the Olympic Rugby Sevens men’s champions Fiji have made the decision to replace English coach Ben Gollings with 2016 gold medallist Osea Kolinisau, just four months before they are set to defend their title in Paris. Fiji secured their first-ever Olympic gold medal in any sport at the 2016 Rio Games and successfully defended their title in Tokyo three years later. However, they have not managed to win a round on the World Rugby Sevens Series since May 2022.
Fiji Rugby chairman Peter Mazey expressed gratitude towards Gollings for his dedication and efforts but emphasized the need to prioritize the goal of winning medals for Fiji in sevens rugby at the Summer Olympics. Mazey stated in a released statement, “We are confident that our new coach will provide the leadership, guidance, and strategic direction necessary to elevate the performance of our sevens rugby team and position Fiji for success at the Summer Olympics.”
Osea Kolinisau, who carried Fiji’s flag at the 2016 Olympics, played a crucial role as the captain of the squad that won the gold medal in Rio and claimed back-to-back World Sevens Series titles in 2014-15 and 2015-16. The decision to appoint Kolinisau as the new coach reflects the team’s commitment to maintaining their winning legacy in the sport.
Fiji Rugby also announced that they are contemplating the appointment of a Director of Rugby for Sevens, with potential candidates including Olympic-winning coaches Ben Ryan and Gareth Baber, as well as Sevens legend Waisale Serevi. This strategic move indicates the organization’s commitment to strengthening its coaching staff and maximizing its chances of success in the upcoming Olympic Games.
The 2024 Olympic Rugby Sevens tournament is scheduled to take place from July 24-30 at the prestigious Stade de France in Paris. The event will feature top rugby sevens teams from around the world competing for the coveted gold medal. With the coaching changes and strategic decisions being made by the Fiji Rugby team, fans and observers are eager to see how the defending champions will perform in their quest for another Olympic triumph.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to Reuters for the latest news and insights.
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, Editing by Marguerita Choy)
