Fiji's Olympic 7s Victories Attract Sound Applicants
"While we are yet to sort the applications; their names indicate the calibre and experience they have. Winning back-to-back Olympic sevens gold have definitely attracted outstanding and reputable applicants. Ben Ryan and Gareth Baber have set the bar, those applying are well aware of this.”
Wednesday 01 December 2021 | 13:00
Fiji Airways Fijian 7s captain Josua Vakurinabili in action against Australia in the Dubai 7s last weekend. Photo: World Rugby
Fiji’s back-to-back rugby sevens Olympic gold wins have attracted a decent selection of sevens coaches for the vacant top national sevens job.
Yesterday Fiji Rugby chief executive officer John O’Connor disclosed that of the 30 applicants for the national sevens coach only two of them were local applicants.
“We have received 30 applications, majority are from overseas. I can confirm that only two are from Fiji,” O’Connor said.
“This is by far the most number of overseas applicants we have received for the national sevens coach position,” he said.
“While we are yet to sort the applications; their names indicate the calibre and experience they have."
“Winning back-to-back Olympic sevens gold have definitely attracted outstanding and reputable applicants."
Former Vodafone Fiji 7s Coach Ben Ryan
In 2020 (played this year) under coach Baber, the Fijians conquered New Zealand 27-12 in the Tokyo finals for their back-to back Olympic win.
“We are going to start work on the applications next week,” he said.
“Right now the focus is on the second Dubai sevens this weekend and we are hopeful that both our Fijian Airways men and Fijiana sides will bring the gold medals.”
Upcoming HSBC World Rugby 7’s series for 2022 include:
January 21-23 (Malaga, men & women),
Jan 28-30 (Spain, men & women),
February 26-27 (Vancouver, men),
March 5-6 (Los Angeles, men),
April – Hong Kong postponed until November 2022,
April 9-10 (Singapore, men),
April 30 – May 1 (Canada, women),
May 20 -22 (France, men & women),
May 28 -29 (London, men).
July 28- 31 Commonwealth Games (Birmingham).
September 9 -11, World Cup (Cape Town).
The 2022 RWC will again comprise of 24 men’s and 16 women’s teams.
Feedback: karalaini.waqanidrola@fijisun.com.fj
