Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka alongside several Government ministers have called on the Fiji Rugby Union for a meeting to discuss the recent performances of the Fiji Airways men’s national 7s team on the World HSBC SVNS Series.
Jumping on to the bandwagon is the Stonewriters Legacy Group led by former Fiji 7s star, Isake Katonibau, who is calling for the sacking of Fiji 7s men’s coach, Ben Gollings.
After 17 years, Ben Gollings gave us an important World Cup victory in South Africa, defeating our main rivals New Zealand All Blacks 7s team 29-12 in the final.
Understandably, the die-hard fans want to see success by our sevens team in every tournament.
PM Rabuka has bluntly put it “The Fiji Rugby Union Trust board has not called for a meeting, if they do not call (one) in the next few days, Government will call”.
As a former rugby sponsor, rugby fanatic for many years at club and provincial level, I say the call by the PM is arrogance at its best.
Indeed the national coach is being paid by Government through the coaching grant allocated to the Fiji National Sports Commission (FNSC).
Ben Ryan’s 7s team brought our first Olympic (history-creating) gold medal in 2016 from Brazil.
Likewise, Gareth Baber repeated the feat in 2021 in Japan thus making Fiji the only nation to win the Olympic 7s rugby sports.
The duo had roped in 15s players like Joshua Tuisova, Leone Nakarawa, and Semi Radradra to name a few.
My five cents take is for FRU to overhaul the current 7s team and rope in some fast Fijian Drua players.
Finally, to the Sports Minister, Jese Saukuru, Fiji Football Association expatriate coaches are also paid by FNSC. What results (if any) have the parent body achieved? Walk the talk Honourable Minister.
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