Osea Kolinisau, the head coach of Fiji Airways Fiji Men’s Sevens, has reaffirmed his commitment to inclusivity in team selection, stating that all players eligible to represent Fiji, regardless of where they currently play, are welcome to compete for a spot on the national team. His comments came after a vigorous scrimmage session against a team made up predominantly of Fijian soldiers from the British Army at Albert Park.
During his address, Kolinisau expressed gratitude to the British Army players for participating in the scrimmage, emphasizing, “The selection door is always open; I’m not limiting it just to those playing in Fiji.” He highlighted that the coaching staff is actively scouting for emerging talent and that players who consistently perform well in club or invitational tournaments globally could soon receive a call to join the national squad.
Kolinisau mentioned, “If you are good enough, we might call you to join the camp and see if you have what it takes to represent your country.” This approach aims to encourage players from all backgrounds while also expanding the talent pool.
The scrimmage showcased an intense and competitive clash, with the British Army team taking advantage of certain vulnerabilities in Fiji’s defense, scoring two tries as a result of mistakes made by the national side. Kolinisau acknowledged the need to refine their defensive strategies moving forward, saying, “That is something we need to work on as a team.”
He commended the British Army team for their challenging performance, noting the importance of facing diverse opposition to better prepare the national squad for future competitions. Kolinisau’s philosophy of open selection and exposure to varied challenges reflects a forward-thinking approach that could ultimately strengthen Fiji’s position in the global sevens arena.