Ben Gollings, the former head coach of Fiji Airways Fiji 7s, has returned to Fiji to lead the Chennai Bulls Select team in the upcoming Coral Coast Sevens tournament. Gollings sees this event as an essential platform for developing emerging talent and gaining valuable experience in elite-level rugby, especially in a region known for its deep-rooted involvement in sevens.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the return, Gollings remarked, “It’s great to be back in Fiji, and it’s exciting to be bringing the Chennai Bulls. This is the Chennai Bulls Select, not the mainstream team that would have played in the RPL, but we want to use it as a development tool as we start building our rugby programme.”
The squad includes a mix of four players from the Indian national team, local talents, and Australian-based Peni Naqua, who joins from the Western Force. Gollings highlighted the tournament as a fantastic opportunity for players to learn and grow, stating, “It’s an exciting opportunity and a great chance for the Indian national team players, as well as some local players, to gain exposure.”
He believes that Fiji provides the perfect environment for testing and nurturing sevens players, emphasizing that while competitiveness is important, the primary focus remains on development rather than results. The Coral Coast Sevens is set to begin this Thursday at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka, with fans able to catch all the action live on FBC Sports.
Gollings’ return to Fiji and the focus on player development reflect a positive future for rugby in both Fiji and India, as emerging talents get the chance to showcase their skills on a prestigious platform.