TWO years ago a chorus of former Fiji rugby sevens players called on Ben Gollings to step down.
The concerted campaign was launched by Stonewriters who wanted Osea Koliisau to be the next head coach.
The call made perfect sense, as Kolinisau had a great resume as a player, as captain of the 2016 Olympic gold medal-winning team, and as someone who understood the rugby culture and language.
The Fiji Rugby Union listened and here is Kolinisau.
But 2 years later, the same group is under scrutiny as Fiji hasn’t had much success in the game, failure follows and now the blame falls squarely on the very group.
Kolinisau has lost the ability to bring the best in every aspect of the game and for his lack of foresight or their own, the team is what it is, who try but fail to get results.
To say the country hasn’t had players would be an understatement, the country produces some of the best in the game, who have only gone to awe the sport.
The problem lies in the strategy, discipline and commitment to play for the team and one another and for all that and more, Kolinisau is the go-to coach.
Our game has been exposed and it is no longer about free flowing, the tricks, flicks, offloads, in-game control and just the mesmerizing moments.
Teams have learned how to approach the once-sevens giants, South Africa, Argentina and Spain haven’t made a secret about their strategy to beat Fiji.
When a team becomes predictable, it is beatable.
And coaches like, Philip Snyman (South Africa), Santiago Gomez Cora (Argentina) and Francisco “Paco” Hernández (Spain) have admitted closely following Fiji’s every play to upend their own style.
All the coaches have said they’re not intimidated by Fiji’s ability and it is a game every time they face them.
For coaches are not appointed on likability but knowledge and for now Kolinisau misses the cut on both and despite finishing second overall in the 2026 HSBC SVNS Series, Fiji managed just one tournament win, the Singapore Sevens.
The weekend Hong Kong Sevens performance calls for heads to roll at the rugby house, as the five consecutive titles champions (2015-2019) losses to Argentina 17-24 in the quarterfinal.
For a nation with its pedigree, that return feels underwhelming.
The question is no longer whether Kolinisau was the right choice then.
It is whether he is still the right choice now.
