Clear 7s path
FRU statement says no outstanding issues between two
THE expectation of winning a tournament in the HSBC SVNS Series may weigh heavy on the Fiji Airways Fiji men’s team but the players trust in the direction they’re heading, says head coach Ben Gollings.
Several former players have stepped up to give their thoughts on the team’s performance with all collectively raising that the current crop is yet to establish an on-field chemistry that made the Fiji 7s team so successful in past years.
Gollings believes that is part of the package that comes with being part of a national team.
“I think there is always pressure, I’m pretty sure the last coaches would’ve felt the same thing, but I think that’s part of being in Fiji,” he said.
“What we must do is we have to stick to what we know, stick to the process and plans, we know the direction we are going in and we are excited for that.”
The direction has not been so clear with the team running on a 15-tournament losing streak.
However, after the Dubai and Cape Town 7s, the national men’s side is in third place and drawn on 30 points with second-placed South Africa.
“This is a new season, and we know the results that we have yielded as well as the words that have been spoken. But one thing that brings us together is our collective effort to try and do better, teamwork, and constant communication when we take the field.”
Fans are expecting Gollings and his men to put an end to their losing spree in Perth and return home with the title.
Fiji is in Pool C with New Zealand, France, and Samoa. They play Samoa at 6.38pm and France at 11.31pm on Friday.
On Saturday, they face New Zealand at 5.25pm.
The cup quarter-finals start at 10.10pm.
DOUBLE Olympic gold medallist Jerry Tuwai and Fiji Airways Fiji 7s men’s head coach Ben Gollings have reaffirmed that there are no outstanding issues between them.
This was according to a joint statement released by the Fiji Rugby Union which outlined the outcome of a meeting between Tuwai, Gollings, and the FRU Board of Trustees.
While the statement did not say when and where the meeting took place, it pointed out that both parties shared a healthy and positive relationship.
“I want to make it clear that Ben and I have always had a great understanding and respect for each other. We’ve shared memorable moments in the rugby world, and any speculation suggesting otherwise is unfounded,” Tuwai was quoted in the statement.
“We’re on good terms and I have the utmost respect for Ben Gollings as the head coach for the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team.
“I am enjoying my time sharing my technical expertise with the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s team and take pride in assisting the girls and coach Saiasi Fuli with their 2024 season.”
Gollings said in the statement; “I will always standby what I’ve always thought of Jerry, a world-class player and I respect him fully for that and there are no issues between us.
“We will always respect him, and we will always support him in his endeavours of what happens in life after rugby.”
The statement goes on to say that both parties agree that there is a need to foster positive relations and unity within the rugby community, hoping that their clarification will put an end to any speculations regarding their relationship.
The issues surrounding the two blew over the media earlier this month after Gollings, during a press conference, said the World Rugby 2020 Player of the Decade must prove he is good enough by participating in local tournaments.
Tuwai responded on social media venting his feelings about the criteria set out for him, questioning if his achievements were simply not good enough.
FRU Board of Trustees interim chairman Peter Mazey labelled the saga as sad and unhealthy.