Fiji’s 7s team, led by coach Osea Kolinisau, lost 10-12 to South Africa in the Vancouver 7s semi-final due to missed opportunities and poor execution of their game plan. Kolinisau noted the importance of teamwork and converting chances as crucial lessons for upcoming competitions in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Fiji Airways Fiji 7s men’s coach Osea Kolinisau expressed disappointment after their narrow 10-12 loss to South Africa in the Vancouver 7s cup semi-final. He stated that the team failed to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities and that their game plan to exploit South Africa’s defensive structure was not executed effectively. Despite a promising start with a lead, individual plays overshadowed teamwork, which Kolinisau highlighted as a critical error.
Kolinisau emphasized that Fiji’s initial strategy was to stretch the field while maintaining possession. However, after gaining momentum with an early try, players rushed their plays instead of adhering to a controlled approach. He noted that opportunities to score were missed, particularly after leading 5-0, where better decision-making could have maintained control of the game.
The coach pointed out that South Africa took advantage of Fiji’s failure to convert scoring chances, underlining that they had multiple opportunities in both halves but only capitalized on a few. This lack of conversion in critical moments ultimately led to their defeat, leaving the team feeling hurt due to lost potential in the tournament.
Despite the loss, Kolinisau conveyed that Fiji remains competitive in the standings, trailing only slightly behind Argentina and Spain. He acknowledged the need for improvement heading into the Hong Kong tournament, stressing the importance of focusing on ball control, opportunity conversion, and decision-making to enhance their performance in upcoming matches.
Kolinisau concluded by taking responsibility as the coach, reiterating the importance of teamwork in both victory and defeat. He expressed gratitude towards the players and committed to addressing the team’s weaknesses before the next competitions in Hong Kong and Singapore.
In summary, Fiji 7s coach Osea Kolinisau reflected on his team’s failure to capitalize on scoring chances during their semi-final loss to South Africa. He emphasized the need for better control and decision-making to convert opportunities into victories. Despite being competitive in the standings, the team must focus on strategy and teamwork to succeed in future tournaments.
Original Source: www.fijitimes.com.fj
