Fiji welcomes its new 7s head coach on Wednesday as the new year brings about a challenging sporting calendar.
One of the best in the abbreviated rugby code, Ben Gollings, has been hired by the Fiji Rugby Union to succeed Welshman Gareth Baber, who successfully defended the Olympic Games 7s gold medal which Ben Ryan won in Rio in 2016.
Gollings becomes the third consecutive Englishman to head the 7s world champion for another four-year term.
FRU chief executive officer John O’Connor told The Fiji Times‘ Where Champions Meet weekly column the reason expatriates coaches are picked ahead of locals.
He said documentation and presentation of work plans including vision and mission during their tenure were always presented in advance which allowed the union to make a sound judgment in its selection.
This is an area the FRU has been working tirelessly to address with local coaches.
O’Connor said most of the applicants were expatriates compared to interest received at home.
“About 30 applicants were received and mostly expatriates. We shortlisted seven and from the FRU’s point of view, we appointed the person on merit and being the best person for the job based on the outcome of the interview and so forth.”
While Gollings is no stranger to Fijian fans, critics will wait silently and look for the first strike as was experienced by Ryan, who went on to create a national celebration when he won the Rio 7s gold medal.
Ryan and Gareth are World Rugby Level 3 7s coaches.
In Fiji, Saiasi Fuli, Timoci Volavola and Apenisa Nasilasila have WR and FRU Level 2 7s coach accreditation and are consistent in producing work plans like Ryan and Baber.
Tuwai has acclaimed Level One 7s coaching.
With Gollings now to reach Fiji in the next 48 hours, O’Connor seeks the support of the nation to help the new coach and the young Fiji 7s squad as they head to Spain on January 21.
“We thank all the supporters for their support. This is about the learnings as we move on. We thank those who make comments and criticise the team because that makes us stronger.
“At times it is motivation for the players to prove themselves.
“These players are human beings and they are the ones who are demoralised when the team loses.
“It is them who are out on the field. We have a young team, but we have senior players such as Jerry Tuwai, who continue to encourage the younger players.
“Jerry will make the big difference with the young players. He will be available for the next two series.
“We ask the public to be patient, especially for the men’s 7s team.
“We know the players will learn and become better players in the next leg.”
The Fiji 7s team’s next goals are the Commonwealth Games gold medal which Fiji has never won, the Rugby World Cup Sevens, the WRSS title, and the Olympic Games 2024.
