Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s Head Coach Osea Kolinisau has commended the mental toughness of his players despite a heartbreaking loss in the final at the HSBC SVNS New York 7s.
Speaking after their training at Albert Park, Kolinisau says the team was devastated after coming close to victory, only to fall short due to a crucial error and factors beyond their control.
He says they wanted to win badly and had the game in their hands, but one dropped ball and a few factors beyond their control cost them.
Kolinisau reveals that his message to the players in the changing room was to stay positive and quickly shift focus to the next challenge.
Insert: Keep their heads up 24th Mar 26
He also highlights the intense pressure the side faced throughout the series, particularly when playing against rivals South Africa after their loss to Argentina.
Kolinisau says the added pressure of knowing a loss could cost them the series is not easy to handle, especially when another team is playing behind them.
Despite the setback, the Fiji 7s coach remains optimistic, stressing the importance of learning from mistakes and preparing for future tournaments.
The next tournament is the Hong Kong 7s, which will be held from the 17th to the 19th of next month.
