Winning the elusive Commonwealth Games gold medal is a top priority for the Fiji Airways Fijian men’s rugby sevens team.
This was revealed yesterday by head coach Ben Gollings at Rugby House in Suva.
“It’s easy said than done, in terms that’s really the main focus at this stage,” Gollings said.
The Fijians have not won the Commonwealth Games gold medal.
This year’s Commonwealth Games will be in Birmingham, England from July 28 to August 8.
The former England captain said apart from the Commonwealth Games another major challenge is the Sevens Rugby World Cup in South Africa.
The Fijians have the won the Sevens Rugby World Cup in 1997 and 2005 while this year’s event will be from September 9-11
“The World Cup is another bigger tournament.
“We should be ready around that time. But for now ultimately our goal as a team is to go and win that (Commonwealth Games) gold medal which hasn’t done been before. So the key now is to be focused towards the process of getting us there.”
Gollings said these are great challenges.
“If you’re not challenged it will be too easy or you are not doing your job.
“These are challenges I’m willing to accept and take on. There are number of things we could do that will support us.”
The wily coach thanked Saiasi Fuli for stepping up in helping coach the team while he was making his way over.
Gollings said there are certain challenges before them as they prepare for the next round of the HSBC World Sevens Series in Spain.
“But there’s nothing hard,” he said.
“First I need to get the understanding of how they are playing right now.
“I’m not just going to come here and change things around.
“Right now it’s about observing and seeing what the players are doing. See how they learn and play.
“I do that through training, through post footage as we move to Spain.
“Part of my role is to develop and build our performance so as we move to Spain and beyond. Certainly, I will be monitoring our performance and there are changes we will make for the betterment of the team.”
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