“Fiji Aims for Olympic Gold: Tuwai’s Return Sparks Hope in Paris”
SPOTLIGHT: Fiji is aiming to win Olympic gold for the third consecutive time in Paris, bolstered by the return of veteran playmaker Jerry Tuwai, following a challenging period both on and off the field.
Since their Olympic victory in Tokyo three years ago, Fiji has struggled to maintain their usual dominance in the HSBC SVNS World Series. They haven’t clinched a series tournament in two seasons, and in March 2024, head coach Ben Gollings was dismissed just four months before the Olympics.
Osea Kolinisau, former captain and gold medalist from the 2016 team, replaced Gollings and welcomed back the experienced Tuwai. The 35-year-old, a double gold medalist and Kolinisau’s former teammate, made an immediate impact, helping Fiji secure a bronze medal in Madrid after a strong semifinal performance against eventual winners France.
Tuwai is known for his signature sidestep and appears to still possess his skills. “Fiji is fortunate to have Jerry Tuwai; his leadership is evident,” Kolinisau noted, also mentioning fellow veteran playmaker Vatemo Ravouvou. “He commands the field like a coach among the players,” Kolinisau added. “I’m grateful that Jerry is competing in his third Olympics.”
- The 2019 World Sevens Player of the Year quickly returned to his captivating form.
In the final leg of the SVNS Series in Madrid, Tuwai showcased his signature sidestep, speed, and handling skills, leading Fiji to victories over South Africa and Ireland, scoring in both matches. However, they faced a heartbreaking 21-14 semifinal loss to eventual champions France.
Fiji’s timing for improvement is crucial as they aim to peak for the Olympics in Paris, having achieved only two podium finishes during the 2023/4 HSBC SVNS Series season—a disappointing outcome by their standards, given their history of consistently competing for series titles. They also struggled in the Hong Kong tournament in April, where they failed to advance past the quarterfinals in Kolinisau’s first event as coach, despite considering it their ‘home’ tournament, with a record 19 titles to their name.
Sevens rugby holds immense significance for Fijians, with the men’s team being the only gold medal winners in the nation’s history. After their 2016 Rio Olympic victory, Fiji issued $7 banknotes featuring the winning team, which were later updated to include the bronze-medal winning women’s team after Tokyo.
“Their achievements will be immortalized in our national currency,” the prime minister stated. Expectations for the national sevens team remain high among their passionate supporters, and Kolinisau believes four months is sufficient for his team to secure a third consecutive gold medal. “Nothing is impossible; it depends on our preparations and what the boys will bring,” he said.
Fiji will face challenges from teams like France, New Zealand, Argentina, and Australia as they defend their Olympic title, with the men’s rugby sevens starting on July 24 at Stade de France, just two days before the opening ceremony. Fiji is placed in Pool C alongside hosts France, the USA, and Uruguay.