FIJI Airways Fijian 7s coach Osea Kolinisau praised the hard work and commitment of his players following their thrilling Cup victory at the HSBC Singapore 7s, as the team now turns its focus to the Perth leg of the series this weekend.
Kolinisau highlighted the standout performance of playmaker Vuiviawa Naduvalo, saying his impact in the Cup final was the result of consistent effort at training.
“Vuiviawa is someone who works really hard in training and you can see the payoff when he’s playing,” Kolinisau said.
“Hats off to the boys around him as well. It’s a team sport they put him into space and he works his magic.”
The coach revealed that he had earlier challenged Vuiviawa to improve his all-round game, especially his defence.
“I spoke to him before Dubai and told him I needed more from him, not just in attack but also in defence,” Kolinisau said.
“Sometimes we use him as a playmaker because he’s good with his feet and creates space for others. It’s good to see the form he’s in now his hard work is paying off.”
Kolinisau also expressed his excitement for debutants Nacani Boginisoko and Douglas Daveta, who enjoyed success in their first tournament with the national side.
“I’m very happy and excited for the boys to get a win in their debut tournament,” he said.
“Not many players get to experience that. They showed what they can do and they’ll only get better as they grow more comfortable at this level.”
With another back-to-back tournament coming up in Perth, Kolinisau acknowledged the physical and mental demands on the squad and said player rotation will be key.
“We’ll see how the boys feel and make sure we play those who are fresh,” he said. “It’s a tough tournament, so it comes down to how the boys recover.”
He also reinforced his belief in using the full squad.
“I’ve always trusted the 13 boys, not just seven,” Kolinisau said.
“We play as a 13-man squad and everyone needs to play their part.”
As preparations continue, the focus is now on recovery and mindset.
“This week is about getting the boys’ mindset right and getting their bodies right.
“When the weekend comes, we’ll be ready to go again.”
The Perth 7s begins on Saturday, with Fiji drawn in Pool A. They face Argentina at 4.20pm, Spain at 7.36pm, and South Africa at 10.52pm. The tournament runs on Saturday and Sunday.
