Olympic gold medal-winning Fiji 7s Coach, Gareth Baber says he will talk to his family first in the United Kingdom and make the decision with a clear mind if the Fiji Rugby Union wants him to continue as the national 7s coach.
Speaking from Tokyo, Baber says he is going to see his family after 7 months, and he also has to decide on his life as a father and a husband.
Baber says the job is too important, he has completed the mission and it is important that the right decisions are made for Fiji 7s going into the future.
It is a busy 7s calendar for the last quarter of this year and next year.
The World Rugby 7s Series resumes in Canada with back to back tournaments in Vancouver and Edmonton in September this year, Singapore 7s in October, Hong Kong 7s in November, Dubai and Cape Town 7s in December.
We then have the Commonwealth 7s that will be held in England in July/August next year while the World Cup 7s will be held in South Africa in September next year.
With major tournaments like the World Cup and Commonwealth 7s coming up next year, hopes would be high for Baber to stay on.
Baber’s contract expires on December 31st this year.
Fiji Rugby Union CEO, John O’Çonnor says Baber has told them that he will return from the UK in the next 2 to 3 weeks. He says they will then meet with him to understand his intentions.
Olympic Gold Medal winning Fiji 7s Coach, Gareth Baber says the incredible journey that he and his team were on as they prepared to defend the Olympic Gold medal in the midst of a global pandemic was called the 'Hero's Journey'.
While speaking from Japan, Baber says this includes months staying away from their loved ones, feeling overwhelmed because the players were not able to look after their families, and players even contemplating breaking camp.
When asked by Legend FM News if Baber could share some of the motivating words he shared with the players when things seemed to be falling apart, Baber says he knew going through this Hero's Journey was going to be tough at times.
He further says he knew players were going to question the motivation, the sacrifices they were making and the pain they were going through.
Baber adds reflecting on the process the players were going through is a good mechanism he uses in coaching to give the players some sort of objectivity and not get too emotional about certain situations.
Baber says there were certain situations that got too emotional and ultimately in that relationship he became the bad father as he was not allowing them to go home.
Baber also shared about his relationship with Jerry Tuwai and how it got strained during the difficult periods.
He further says he always knew that Tuwai was going to deliver.
He also thanked the FRU for their continuous support.
Fiji beat New Zealand 27-12 in the Olympic 7s final last night.
It was also a historic moment for Jerry Tuwai as he is the first 7s player to win two Olympic gold medals in rugby.
Fiji 7s Men’s Coach, Gareth Baber says he is grateful for the support and experience of Captain, Jerry Tuwai and Trainer Nacanieli Cawanibuka on the road to win the Tokyo Olympics 7s Competition.
Speaking from Tokyo, Baber has also thanked all the players and staff who were on the journey to Tokyo over the last four years.
Baber has also thanked his Assistant Coach, Brad Harris who has put an immense sacrifice in terms of leaving his family in Australia, the work he has put in and the rapport that he has built with the players that has elevated Fiji once again.
Napolioni Bolaca still has the potential to become a better rugby player than he already is.
This is the view of Olympic Gold Medal Winning Coach, Gareth Baber who says Bolaca is an exceptional talent.
He says he would love to see the rise of Bolaca continue whether it is in 7s or 15s adding that Bolaca would potentially need a knee surgery to help him free up his running.
Baber adds Bolaca is a joy to be around.
Bolaca has become a mainstay for the national 7s team ever since breaking through the ranks and is expected to be with the team for the long term.=
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