Fiji aims for rugby gold at 2028 Olympics under Kolinisau

Osea Kolinisau has been appointed to lead Fiji's men's sevens rugby team with the goal of winning gold at the 2028 Olympics. His contract has been extended for four years following a successful campaign at the Paris Olympics, where Fiji secured a silver medal after losing to France in the final. This achievement was particularly notable given the team's struggles in the previous season, which saw them at the bottom of the world sevens series standings. Kolinisau's appointment comes after he took over the coaching role just four months before the Paris Games, succeeding Ben Gollings, who was dismissed due to poor results. His rapid turnaround of the team's performance has been praised by Peter Mazey, the interim chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union, who emphasized the unexpected success of reaching the finals. Rugby sevens holds significant cultural importance in Fiji, and the expectations for Kolinisau are high. The Fiji Rugby Union is committed to achieving gold at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, reflecting the nation's passion for the sport and its history of success in international competitions. Kolinisau himself is a former player who captained Fiji to gold during rugby sevens' Olympic debut in 2016. He also led the team to defend their title in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, showcasing his deep connection to the sport and the aspirations of Fijian rugby on the global stage.