“We are starting a new season and a new four-year buildup towards the next Olympic,” the Olympic silver medal winning coach said yesterday following their gym session in Suva.
From left, front: Ilikimi Torosi,
Solomoni Rauqe, Viliame Naikausa
and Lasaro Bogisa with members
of the Fiji 7s extended squad during
their gym session on October 29, 2024. Photo: Ronald Kumar
Fiji men’s rugby sevens head coach Osea Kolinisau is not wasting anytime as he kick starts preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, United States of America.
With 26 members of the extended squad already in camp; Kolinisau said his final 13-member for Dubai and Cape Town 7s will be named on November 14.
The 2016 gold medallist has indicated that quite a number of young players are on the squad fighting for a spot on the side.
“We are starting a new season and a new four-year buildup towards the next Olympic,” the Olympic silver medal winning coach said yesterday following their gym session in Suva.
“There are a lot of those around 21 and 22-years old and I want to bring them in to see how they do in in camp,” Kolinisau said.
“A lot of them hane been playing sevens, one of them has been playing Skipper Cup, I want to mix them a bit and see how they do against the guys that have been contracted.”
These new members include Suva 15s side winger Iosefo Namoce and Lavidi Brothers centre George Bose.
Kolinisau added that the duo have adapted well, they would need to meet the standard on and off the field.
“They had a bit of a shock last week just on some off-field standard, they’re just getting used to how we do things around camp” he said.
Former sevens captain Seremaia (Jerry) Tuwai is also in camp however did not attend yesterday’s gym session due to an eye injury.
“We just finished a six-week cycle, now we’re into onto our second week, getting everybody used to the game pattern, game plays; we will announce the team in the second week of November,” he said.
“It’s always tough selecting the squad, there’s a lot of new faces, there’s a lot of old faces but like I said there’s a certain standard that we want and also fitness test.
“There’s always press when you are selecting the Fiji sevens side for a new season; I’m really looking forward and excited on what the new boys can offer in terms of challenge this season,” Kolinisau added.
Meanwhile, the Dubai 7s is from November 30-December 1 followed by Cape Town on December 7-8.
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