Kolinisau Will Monitor Tuwai's Fitness

Fiji Airways Fiji men’s rugby sevens head coach Osea Kolinisau has made it a point to monitor Jerry Tuwai’s fitness.

In a press conference yesterday Kolinisau confirmed that Tuwai and playmaker Vatemo Ravouvou are back in the Fiji men’s training squad.

The three players were members of the gold medal winning team at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.

“Ravouvou is in camp, he is looking fit and looking forward to see him play in the Marist Sevens. He is always vocal in the game and his kicking as well that’s an area we looking to address. He’s not guaranteed a spot, even though we played together for years.”

Kolinisau said he would be monitoring Tuwai’s fitness at camp.

“We had an honest chat and Jerry knows where he is at. Jerry said ‘coach I’m not there yet and I need a month’. I said come into camp and I will come and monitor your fitness. So Jerry is in camp. It’s good to have Jerry around, the knowledge he has, the only two-time Olympian gold medallists in rugby. It’s good to have him around in terms of leadership and mentor the young players.”

However, Kolinisau emphasised that no one has been guaranteed a spot for the Olympic Games

He made it clear Tuwai and Ravouvou would be treated as any other player in the squad.

Jerry Tuwai scores a try for Fiji against Spain on day three of the HSBC France Sevens at Stade Toulousain on May 14, 2023 in Toulouse, France. Photo: World Rugby

Coaching panel

He indicated that assistant coach Viliame Satala will remain on the coaching panel while Setefano Cakau is yet to join them.

Strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches Apisai Devo and Timoci Tavai will also stay under the guidance of S&C consultant Ian Gibbons.

“Right now we have not got a number of overseas players that are coming but there is a few putting their hands up and will get to that with the management and will sort the numbers to get in for the Olympic prep.

“I want the best we have for the Olympic, even if they don’t make it they will prepare the boys that will make it.”

Kolinisau will find time to head to Nadi to meet Fijian Drua men’s head coach Mick Byrne and discuss on the Drua players he wants for his Olympic extended squad.

Camp atmosphere

Asked about the energy in camp, Kolinisau said: “Energy has been good, the boys have responded really well to the change and they’ve been giving their 100 in training.

“I wanted to create an atmosphere of competition; competition breeds success and I told the boys no one is guaranteed a spot.

“It’s only fair you come into your club and you march in to camp whether contracted or not so that everybody is given a fair shot in the ground in rugby and in fitness.”

Pressure on win

“We talking about Fiji, there is always pressure when you go to a tournament – everybody expects Fiji to win whether it’s a development group.

“There is a lot of pressure, I know the public has been crying for a win for a long time – something we are not used to and I have told the boys pressure is part of life; it depends on how you want to face it – whether you run away from it or you face it.”

Marist 7s

The squad has been released to play for their own clubs at the Fiji Bitter Marist Sevens, except those who are injured.

Kolinisau will be updated by the physiotherapist on the injured players who would be unfit to play at the Marist 7s which kicks off today at the HFC Bank Stadium.

Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj