THE late Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was a dignified gentleman who embodied leadership and humility felt by many who were fortunate to be in his presence.
It’s also the very thing Fiji Airways Fiji men’s 7s head coach Osea Kolinisau remembers about him, as the nation farewells Ratu Epeli today.
In expressing his condolences, he reflected on a moment shared with the late Ratu Epeli.
Kolinisau was 7s captain under former head coach Ben Ryan when he met Ratu Epeli on April 18, 2016 at a hotel in Singapore, after they lost the cup final 7-30.
“We just lost the final to Kenya and that morning (the next day), we were having breakfast with (former teammate Emosi) Mulevoro,” Kolinisau fondly recalled.
“He happened to go for his walk. He came into the hotel, sat with us and he told us ‘What are you putting your head down for? You guys did a good job.
“‘What are you putting your head down for? You are still ahead in the series’.”
Those words were all Kolinisau and Mulevoro needed to hear from the nation’s head of state to reset themselves and look onwards to the next leg.
Fiji would then win the 2015/16 season of the HSBC World Sevens Series and brought home Fiji’s first Olympic gold medal from the Rio Olympics in the same year.
Kolinisau stated how his ability to allay doubts and put uncertainty to rest had shone through that morning, even as Ratu Epeli moved around with no bodyguards.
The interaction between the trio caught the attention of the Scottish 7s team, who were shocked to witness Ratu Epeli sit and chat with no restraint.
Meanwhile, Kolinisau and his 7s gladiators will have the late former president and Na Gone Turaga na Taukei Naisogolaca on their minds when they run out today, and a nation backing them closely in our home away from home.
Fiji faces Germany in their first pool match at 5.11pm today.
