1
Pressure mounts on Gollings with New Zealand legend linked with Fiji
By Chris Jones
Ben Gollings' position as head coach of Fiji men’s sevens continues to attract speculation after he failed to deliver the title at the Perth leg of the HSBC SVNS, with veteran New Zealand sevens coach Sir Gordon Tietjens emerging as a possible option.
Fiji finished fourth in a competition won by the impressive Argentina sevens squad but remain second in the overall table behind the South Americans, although they are on the same points as third place Australia. Argentina won their second event of the HSBC SVNS 2024 campaign, beating Australia in the Perth final with Ireland finishing third after winning 24-7 against an ill-disciplined Fiji.
With the defence of Fiji’s Olympic gold medal looming in Paris in the summer, concerns over Gollings’ ability to replicate the medal glory achieved by Ben Ryan as head coach in 2016 and Gareth Baber in Tokyo remain in the rugby mad nation.
There is now speculation that Tietjens is a possible option to either support or replace Gollings ahead of the Olympic campaign. Fiji Rugby Union Interim Administrator, Simione Valenitabua refused to comment when asked about the speculation of talks with Tietjens when quizzed by Fijivillage News.
Valenitabua confirmed the trustees, the General Manager High Performance and the Manager High Performance for Women meet with the coaching team and players of the Fijian sevens and Fijiana sevens after each tournament. They are currently waiting for the team to return and for coach Gollings to return later in the week to go over the Perth SVNS performance.
Fiji Rugby Chairman Peter Mazey has confirmed that any decisions regarding the coaching staff of the national sevens team would only be made after thorough discussions with all parties including players and support staff.
Mazey says the Fiji Rugby Union remains fully committed to supporting its current coaching staff and players, fostering a positive environment for all our national teams.
Fiji men’s sevens are in Pool A at the Vancouver SVNS alongside Argentina, Canada and Spain being held in Vancouver from the 23 - 25 February.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
3
Let's be real about these All Blacks
4
Why World Cup winner doesn’t blame All Black for leaving New Zealand
5
Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
Go to comments