New Fiji 7s head coach Ben Gollings will officially start in his position on January 1, 2022.
That’s next Saturday.
Gollings was the top pick for Fiji Rugby Union from numerous applicants received.
He is scheduled to meet Fiji Rugby manager high performance Simon Raiwalui in Australia in the next few days before coming to Fiji.
Union chief executive officer John O’Connor said Gollings would be in Fiji to witness the first 2022 Super Sevens Series at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka from January 6-8.
“Ben’s contract officially starts from January 1 and in the next few days he will be spending time with Simon in Australia to understand the high performance system in Fiji,”
O’Connor said. “He will be flying in on January 5 to be part of the Super Sevens Series to identify players and take over the team officially from Saiasi Fuli.
After the Sigatoka tournament, he will prepare the team for the Malaga 7s in Spain.
“I know that there are huge challenges coming for the team with the Commonwealth Games and the Rugby World Cup Sevens apart from the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.”
Raiwalui said the appointment of Gareth Baber’s successor went through a rigorous interview process.
“Ben was obviously the stand-out candidate.
“One thing that was very important was his vision for the pathways leading to the Fijian 7s staff improvement and the development of players throughout the country.”
Gollings, reports Wikipedia, was born May 13, 1980.
He works as a rugby coach.
He is best known for his time with the England 7s team.
He is the career leader in points scored on the World Rugby Sevens Series with 2652 points.
He had a major role with Serevi Rugby, a rugby development program founded by his close friend and 7s magician, Waisale Serevi.