Kolinisau maps out plan for LA 2028

Fiji men’s rugby sevens head coach Osea Kolinisau has laid out his plans to win gold at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles (LA 2028) , United States.

Presenting at the Fiji Rugby Union symposium at Albert park, Suva the former sevens captain said the goal is to be the number one team.

Kolinisau was captain when Fiji won its first Olympic gold medal at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016 and coached the men’s side to a Olympic silver medal win at the Paris 2024 Games.

“Wining silver in Paris does not sit well with me and I’ve always told the boys we have unfinished business and we should go back and try and get back the legacy that belongs to us and that is getting another gold in USA,” he said.

He said they’re currently on the foundation phase to LA 2028 which inlcudes talent identification, player development, culture building and family unity.

“This season coming up, we want to grow that phase again and make sure we expanding the depth and we’re working a lot with Naca (Cawanibuka) and High Performance Unit and trying to get a lot of the youngsters early.

“2027 will be the performance phase - we want to be number one in the series, heading to 2028Olympcis because we want to go into the Olympic as the number one and that gives us a mental edge.”

He indicated that 2028 will be the final preparation for the Games and stabilising his squad.

He added there has been some impressive players during the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union (FSSRU) Vodafone Deans competition which has been eyed by the High Performance Unit (HPU).

Kolinisau indicated he would rope in some youngsters for the Oceania 7s in New Zealand.

“Watching the Deans final last week, seeing a lot a lot of potential players and especially with next year’s youth Olympics in Dakar - mainly I was watching a lot of the Under-17s and trying to find the talent that I need for next year.”

He also acknowledged he support from Fiji rugby stakeholders, families and supporters.

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