Two other former Fiji 7s representatives have supported the statement made by Semi Kunatani on the big change seen in the performance of the national team since head coach Osea Kolinisau took over.
Livai Ikanikoda and Tevita Daugunu spoke highly of the gradual shift noticed from the Olympic Games in July to the start of the new series in Dubai and Cape Town.
Playmaker Ikanikoda said player fitness was an obvious factor that had changed drastically.
“From my perspective as a player, their fitness is at 100 per cent, it’s at the level we expect it to be especially competing at the HSBC World SVNS Series. Oscar (Osea Kolinisau) has brought back that essence of rugby known to us and we are climbing our way up again and the only thing that we can do is support the team.
“We can all see the difference now especially when the team was on a losing trajectory for 22 tournaments, Fiji was turning out to be an easy side to beat but then changes were made and it has started to bear good fruits,” the playmaker said.
Daugunu was the captain under the leadership of former coach Ben Gollings. He applauded the players for their pride in the white jersey.
“I’m grateful for the changes that Oscar (Osea Kolinisau) brought to the team. You can really see that the players are fit. Their off-season preparation was good before the first leg, so their fitness was right there.
“I want to thank the younger players for their efforts and representing Fiji proudly. I believe that they can maintain their consistency and do well in the next leg,” the former Corrections Officer stated.
Ikanikoda made his debut for Fiji in the 2011-2012 HSBC 7s series.
He was also part of the 2019 Fiji 7s team that won Fiji’s fifth consecutive Hong Kong 7s title.
Daugunu played for the 2022 Fiji 7s team that settled for silver at the Commonwealth Games.
