“I’ve seen the players playing together as a team which is something we want to achieve rather than individuality,” Kolinisau said at Suva’s Albert Park yesterday.
It is obvious that the Fiji Airways men’s sevens team wants to replicate the chemistry that assisted the sevens gladiators’ back to back gold haul at the 2016 Rio and 2022 Seoul Olympics respectively.
Under the watchful eyes of first gold medal winning sevens side skipper and currently national coach Osea Kolinisau, his band of 20-men have two more days at the maximum to know if they will make the top 15 squad of which two will stay back while 13 proceed to the Games Village.
“I’ve seen the players playing together as a team which is something we want to achieve rather than individuality,” Kolinisau said at Suva’s Albert Park yesterday.
“Kickoffs are important at the start of every game and it’s something we pride ourselves in.”
On the ground also were assistant coach Setefano Cakau, and consultant national programme manager 7s former national coach Gareth Baber.
“Aerial jumps are something we want to exploit to our advantage, other teams will try to keep the ball away from us at kick-off as well,” he said.
“You win tournaments through defense and that’s something we want to get back.
“Players are aware of what is required of them, play to high-level standard.
“The young players in the squad have gained confidence and experience after the conclusion of the Madrid 7s; they have experienced playing as a unified team against tough opponents.
“Our lotu (spiritual) is important to us as Fijians – always putting God first; getting players to be mentally tough as our culture as a team.”
Sharing experience
Kolinisau said they have been allowing gold medallists Jerry Tuwai, Waisea Nacuqu and Iosefo Masi to share their road to Olympic gold.
“We are trying to pick their brains, get them to share what it takes to operate at that level,” he said.
“We know France is going to be well prepared, USA is tough as well,” he said.
‘Uruguay cannot be underestimated; we’re not taking any team lightly.”
The inclusion of Masi has influenced burst of power in the team’s attack.
“He (Masi) has the ability to beat players; if he can do it in the 15s where it is crowded imagine what he can do on the sevens pitch,” he said.
“We know Selestino Ravutaumada is fast, good in attack and aerial contest – that’s a combination made for sevens.
“Regarding Josaia Raisuqe he is a tough and aggressive player that will instill fear in the opposition.”
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