Ben Gollings, known for his tenure as head coach of Fiji Airways Fiji 7s, has made a noteworthy return to Fiji to coach the Chennai Bulls Select team at the upcoming Coral Coast Sevens tournament. Gollings views this event as a vital opportunity for nurturing emerging talent and gaining essential experience in elite-level rugby, particularly in a region renowned for its strong ties to the sevens format.
Excited about his return, Gollings stated, “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 features a blend of four players from the Indian national team, local athletes, and Australian-based Peni Naqua, who comes on board from the Western Force.
Gollings underscored the tournament as an exceptional chance for players to learn and develop further, proclaiming, “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 asserts that Fiji is the ideal setting for testing and nurturing sevens players, emphasizing that while competition is significant, the main intention is development over results.
The Coral Coast Sevens is scheduled to kick off this Thursday at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka, with fans eager to catch the thrilling matches live on FBC Sports. Gollings’ return and commitment to player development signal a promising outlook for rugby in both Fiji and India, enabling budding talents to display their skills on a distinguished stage. This positive initiative not only champions the growth of rugby but also fortifies the bonds between the two nations through the sport.