Vodafone Fijian skipper was named the HSBC player of the final after his performance in the final of the USA Sevens.

“We needed to give the people back home something to be happy about after all the devastation.”

Those were the first words spoken by Vodafone Fijian Sevens captain Osea Kolinisau after he saw his side win the USA Sevens Cup title, beating Australia 21-15 in a pulsating final at the Sam Boyd Stadium.

Humble and inspirational were just two of the words used to describe the captain, who’s performances across the weekend helped Fiji to successfully defend their Las Vegas title, a win they dedicated to the people back home, despite losing their opening match to Samoa.

In the final Kolinsau led from the front and, after collecting his side’s second Cup of the season, was also named HSBC player of the final. He now also sees his side with a five point cushion over South Africa at the halfway stage of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

“One week after the cyclone struck we went back into camp and all the players said we were going to play. I reminded the boys this week that we needed to remember the people back home who were victims of Cyclone Winston,” added the captain.

Dream team

Kolinsau did not make the USA Sevens dream team but teammates Jerry Tuwai and Jasa Veremalua were both named in the side for Las Vegas. Australia’s Sam Myers and Allan Fa’alava’au were also chosen, alongside Japan’s Lomano Lemeki, South Africa’s Seabelo Senatla and USA’s Perry Baker.

Las Vegas Sevens Dream Team: Jasa Veremalua, Sam Myers, Allan Fa’alava’au, Jerry Tuwai, Lomano Lemeki, Seabelo Senatla and Perry Baker.

World Rugby

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