Gollings to keep opposition guessing

The Fiji Airways Fijian men’s rugby sevens team quietly flew out of the country to Hong Kong, last Saturday.

This was confirmed yesterday by the Fiji Rugby Union while the women’s side left yesterday.

The Fijians are in tough Pool A where they meet Argentina, Samoa and Canada.

The Ben Gollings coached-side lost to Argentina in the Cup playoffs of the Los Angeles and Vancouver tournaments.

Samoa under head coach Brian Lima has been one of the most improved teams in the series.

In the 2022/23 HSBC World Sevens Series, Argentina has won the Hamilton and Vancouver tournaments while Samoa has claimed the Cape Town tournament.

Fiji has yet to win any tournament in the series.

This series is the qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in France.

The top four men’s and women’s teams automatically qualify for the Olympics.

Fiji is currently in fourth spot in the men’s standings.

Gollings has dropped two-time Olympic Games gold medal winner Jerry Tuwai and forward Josua Vakurinabili for the Hong Kong and Singapore tournaments due to sickness.

However, the recovery of lanky forward Joseva Talacolo along with the selection of veteran Sevuloni Mocenacagi and Vuiviawa Naduvalo is going to boost our chances of winning the restarts, which was exploited by the Argentineans.

In the playmaker’s role, Gollings has named Napolioni Bolaca and Terio Tamani to assist Waisea Nacuqu.

“Bolaca has been cleared by the doctor to play in the last four remaining tournaments after which he can go for his knee surgery,” he said.

Gollings added that Tamani and Volivoli are experienced players, and they come with different styles of play, which will provide a different dynamic to the team.

Fiji plays Samoa at 7.28pm this

Friday, then meet Canada at 3.52pm on Saturday before facing Argentina at 8.27pm.

Fiji squad: Joseva Talacolo, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Josese Batirerega, Suliano Volivoli, Ponipate Loganimasi, Tevita Daugunu, Pilipo Bukayaro, Terio Tamani, Waisea Nacuqu, Napolioni Bolaca, Manueli Maisamoa, Vuiviwa Naduvalo, Iowane Teba

Photo: Ronald Kumar Ben Gollings with members of his extended squad during the 47th Fiji Bitter Marist Sevens tournament at the HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, on March 18, 2023.