Former Fiji rugby 7s coach Epi Kolinivala says it’s important that the right person is chosen to lead the country’s charge in the abbreviated code.
The East Timor-based former Fiji naval officer said this was especially the case given Fiji’s status and performance in the recent IRB 7s World Series.
“We love Fiji 7s and we take pride in it,” he added.
“We will always support the Fiji 7s team but the right person should be appointed for the job,” he added.
Who is then the right person for the top job?
The Fiji Rugby Union, after setting new selection criteria, is looking for a coach who has had local and international experience in the code and one who holds an IRB Level 2 coaching certificate. Kolinivala thinks otherwise saying experienced people like Waisale Serevi should be given the job. “Fiji will never win the World 7s Cup in Dubai if they do not take Serevi. I am not joking and also I am not stupid to keep on reminding the FRU. Mark my word Fiji,” he added.
“I think the FRU has lost track with our 7s program and now they want to mix up with 15s. They should respect our views because we still have time for Serevi to put up a good team to defend the World Cup.”
“We have lots of talent at home and they should bring in Glen Ella and not Ilivasi Tabua. I was the one who recommended Wayne Pivac to coach our team to the last World Cup after they lost contact with Laulau and Tabulutu.”
He said Tabua should concentrate on the full code and restore Serevi in the game he still masters.
“I support Serevi to coach the Fiji 7s team again. This will help bring lost pride for Fiji,” Kolinivala said.
“It will be great to have Amasio Raoma because they are the best to help win the 2009 7s RWC. I hope we will all pray and ask FRU to appoint these players. We need Tabua to concentrate with 15s.”
Meanwhile, former national rep and Australia-based Acura Niuqila, Peniasi Uluiviti, Serevi, Josateki Savou, Iliesa Tanivula, and Peni Veidreyaki are believed to have applied for the top job when the deadline closed on Monday.
Fijilive
Posted
comments on this story
crossbay
Tuesday, July 01 2008
I FULLY SUPPORT MR KOLINIVALA. WE HELP PRAY THAT SEREVI GETS THE JOB.I RESPECT FRU REPS,BUT WE NEED SOMEONE LIKE SEREVI TO TAKE FIJI TO THE WORLD CUP. PLIZ PLIZ WE REALLY NEED HIM
sevaka
Thursday, July 03 2008
I fully support Mr Kolinivalas proposal n deeply have faith in Mr Serevi taking that job back as Coach n Player.....
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