I CAN understand the frustrations vented by fans as Fiji remains winless, unable to break our losing streak.
I, too, am frustrated, but I believe our team management and the players must be given time to adapt to the changing rules and dynamics of the 7s game.
While discipline has been a telling factor, the firepower in attack and defence and fitness levels remain everyone’s guess.
Our editor was apt when he mentioned that “the knives have already come out and disappointed fans will seek a way out of their misery and armchair critics will be up in arms dissecting our loss.” (F/T 14/03)
We should accept our loss with humility and be proud of the way our boys rose from defeat to hand the United States defeat and claim the bronze medal.
I know many will dispute the bronze medal saying that we deserve gold, but we should not despise the fact that two top teams played the final and the best team won.
England was brilliant and like the Blitzbokke they have maintained the core of their team over the years, including their coaching staff.
However, Fiji is on a rebuilding phase and results should not be expected overnight.
It will take time before we stamp our mark again in the WSS.
We have to be patient and give coach Gareth Baber time and space.
We have the squad and depth to win a few tournaments and settle for second best.
Hong Kong is next and the team management should iron out weaknesses and work on making our tackles count.
The “Ice” factor and Jasa are needed to assist Osea and to marshal our forwards.
Please FRU get the “smiling assassin” back.
In Vancouver Nasoko, Veitokani, Seta, Kunavula, Nacuqu and Dakuwaqa showed a lot of promise, but they need more game time.
We now sit in third position, three behind England and 26 behind South Africa.
I plead with the players to show the fighting character that the Flying Fijians are renowned for and to show the world that we are Olympic champions. We can do it. All we need is a bit of self-belief, trust and the Fijian magic!
