Despite the poor performance, Team Fiji 7s women’s head coach Saiasi Fuli revealed that it was normal for him to get criticisms about the team.

“It’s normal for me,” Fuli said while speaking in Paris during an interview on Tuesday.

Fuli revealed that for a sevens crazy nation like Fiji, the expectations were always high that players were expected to perform their best.

“The pressure is always high when coaching sevens,” he said.

“I have managed myself well while coaching this team, helping our team from 14th position to sit sixth on the points table especially the last three years looking after the team so well.”

Fuli added that even though they have been disappointed with the result, it was the reality of rugby and they need to accept it.

“Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose – it is all part of the game.

“I am accountable for the performance of the team, and while the result is disappointing – the Olympics come every four years,” he said.

Fuli added he can’t do much to change the result but they can return and learn from the experience and be ready for the next games.

The Fijiana side finished last at the France Olympics. In their Pool A games the side lost 17-14 to Canada, then were run-over 40-12 by Olympic Games debutants China and in their last game thrashed by eventual gold medal winners New Zealand 38-7.

The Raijieli Daveua captained side were stunned by Brazil 28-22 in the ninth spot play off and sent home by South Africa 21-15 in the 11th position match to finish 12th.

Fijiana had won the bronze at the Japan Olympics in 2021.

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