Fiji Men’s Sevens head coach Osea Kolinisau has highlighted the importance of competition within the national squad as new and returning players strive for their positions ahead of upcoming tournaments. With fresh talent integrating into the training camp and some familiar faces absent, Kolinisau has emphasized that selection will depend strictly on player performance and attitude.
Adopting a “best on best” philosophy, Kolinisau encouraged each player to showcase their individual strengths. He stated, “In the squad, I told the boys, here it’s best on best. Make sure you bring your point of difference when you come here. We want to see if they’ve got what it takes and if they understand the way we want to play.”
The recent inclusion of Wame Ratuva and Tomasi Stark into the training camp came after their impressive showings at the Coral Coast 7s. Kolinisau expressed eagerness to see how these players perform alongside established squad members, commenting, “Wame and Stark played a good game in Coral Coast. We wanted to have a look at them and see how they do against the boys.”
Addressing the absence of several regular players, Kolinisau reassured that their temporary lack of participation does not rule them out of consideration for future selections. Notably, Joseva Talacolo is currently sidelined due to a concussion, while Viwa Naduvalo is taking a short break before returning.
As the competition within the squad heats up, Kolinisau is focused on building a team that not only understands their game plan but can also excel under pressure on the international stage. The squad is preparing for the Vancouver 7s, set for the 7th and 8th of next month, where they aim to demonstrate their readiness and talent. The team’s commitment to performance and competition signals an exciting lead-up to the tournament, showcasing Fiji’s dedication to excellence in rugby sevens.