THE Fiji 7s team, this new year, could be without a team manager.

Two days away from the arrival of the new Fiji 7s coach, this newspaper understands Ropate Kauvesi who helped Fiji win the Rio 7s gold medal, is no longer holding the post.

South Bay Davui, one of Fiji 7s team’s helper in the campaign to the Olympics, tweeted that Kauvesi has been replaced.

When contacted yesterday by this newspaper, Kauvesi said he wanted to enjoy the New Year celebration and could not comment.

This newspaper believes Kauvesi would no longer continue with the Fiji 7s team into the rest of the 2016/17 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

He has been with the Vodafone Fiji 7s team since 2013 with former coach Ben Ryan as manager.

Ryan said in one of his tweets, “Ropate @kauvesi was simply an awesome manager and so integral to recent success…”

National trainer Naca Cawanibuka, in his tweet, thanked Kauvesi and said he contributed immensely into the team for being a resilient worker behind the scenes.

“…Team will miss you…” Cawanibuka added in his tweet.

Kauvesi, in responding to Ryan’s tweet, thanked him and Cawanibuka and tweeted ….”never a dull moment in our 7s team management.”

Uprising Fiji Beach Resort, where the Fiji 7s team have always been prepared since Ryan became coach tweeted, “If it ain’t broke why fix it?@kauvesi can’t believe it, but know that our doors are always open to you, come for a weekend, some time soon.”

FRU chief executive officer John O’Connor said Kauvesi had asked to take a break and he (O’Connor) would need to speak to him again on the issue.

O’Connor said something should be confirmed by Tuesday.

Meanwhile, World Rugby CEO, Brett Gosper has labelled the Fiji 7s team receiving their gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games as his top rugby moment of 2016.