FIJI Airways Fijian 7s head coach Osea Kolinisau says strong leadership will be key as his side prepares for the opening leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai and Cape Town.
The Fijian 7s team, with the Fijiana squad, presented their i-tatau to the Turaga Na Tui Vitogo, Ratu Jone Sovasova, in Vitogo Village yesterday.
The squad includes one debutant, Apete Narogo, alongside senior players such as Terio Tamani, Waisea Nacuqu and Sevuloni Mocenacagi.
“We have an experienced side. A new face in the team Apete Narogo. He has been around the 7th series,” Kolinisau said.
“He was in the squad last season. Bought him in halfway through the season. He played very well when he went to New Zealand. I’m excited to see him and to show what he’s got in Dubai,” the coach added.
He confirmed that Nacuqu steps in due to an injury to Filipe Sauturaga.
“We had an injury Sauturaga so we made a change. Waisea steps in for Sauturaga. Waisea has been training well as well.”
Kolinisau stressed that his senior players must set the tone.
“I’ve been telling them that you guys are senior now. We don’t want to play to the standard you’ve got.
“You’ve got to play to the standard of the youngsters. Make sure you guys are not pulling us back. You two are leading the front. We cherish our leadership.”
Looking ahead to Dubai, Kolinisau expects a tough challenge under the new series format.
“You can see the format has changed. We’ve got Argentina, France and South Africa. In this format, you can’t run away from anything. Every game is a quarter-final now. You’ve got to aim for top two to make it to the semi-final.
“We can’t drop a game in this format. Every game we must play and make sure we come up on top. Argentina are the champions in the series. We’re second to them. We know they’re going to come prepared,” he added.
Kolinisau described the historic i-tatau presentation in Vitogo as powerful.
“Change is always a part of everything. But to me, it was kind of powerful for me. Especially the name ‘Sukanacagi’.
“You know, winds are going to flow back. That’s something that hit me. All the winds will flow back to Fiji. Fiji has been struggling a lot in the last few years.”
“The words used to the boys really stuck with me. I felt like I wanted to play. He told the boys, you’re not the first. You won’t be the last. That’s something I want to say to the boys. We’ve got to change now. Especially to pave the way for generations that are going to come after us.”
The tream departs for Dubai today.
