Just hours after Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said the government would call a meeting if Fiji Rugby Union doesn’t, the FRU released a statement saying coaches and team officials for the Fiji Airways Men’s 7s and Fijiana 7s will meet with the Trustees on Thursday.

As part of the normal procedure, both programmes will be reviewed in detail following the conclusion of the Vancouver/LA leg of the series, and any opportunities for improvement will be identified and implemented.

“We have arranged for their reports to be ready and for the Coaches and Team officials to immediately meet with the Trustees on their return this Thursday”.

Fiji Rugby Football Union Trust Board (FRFUTB) issue an update on the performance of the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s and Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s teams as they continue their journey on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, with a focus on the build-up to the upcoming Olympic Games in France.

Men’s 7s Team:

The Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team acknowledges the disappointment felt by fans, players, and coaches alike for not securing more tournament victories on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. Despite this, the team remains resolute in their commitment to excellence and their goal of clinching the Gold Medal at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

After a thorough review process following the Dubai/Cape Town and Perth legs, certain areas of the program were identified for enhancement. To this end, we are pleased to announce the recruitment of a Strength and Conditioning (S&C) consultant to oversee the delivery of fitness and strength programs for both the Men’s and Women’s teams. This consultant will play a crucial role in ensuring our players reach their peak physical condition and are well-prepared for competition at the highest level; this resource joined the team prior to the Vancouver tournament.

Additionally, efforts are underway to enhance the coaching team while maintaining the strong team culture that has been established. We are exploring options that involve Fijian coaches and align with our vision for success.

Women’s 7s Team:

While our current standing in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series table may be disappointing, the effort and commitment of our players, coaches, and staff cannot be faulted. We recognize that our current ranking is influenced by the quality of competition, the depth of player pools in other countries, and the investment in women’s rugby programs, particularly those countries that have seen success at the Olympic level.

To improve performance, we are actively working to increase our player pool and implement robust systems for tracking and monitoring player performance. These efforts will ensure that we have a strong foundation for future success in women’s rugby

Both the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s and Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s teams are determined to continue their pursuit of excellence as they prepare for the Olympic Games in France. The FRFUTB stands by the teams and will fully support them with resources needed for the teams’ mission of standing on this year’s Olympic Games podium to receive medals. We call for the support of our fans and stakeholders, as we are confident that our teams will rise to the occasion and showcase the true spirit of Fijian rugby on the world stage.