Fiji Airways Fiji men’s sevens head coach Osea Kolinisau praised his side for maintaining their mentality fitness during their training sessions.

He is working to improve the team’s processes in their defensive line and spacing under fatigue in preparation for the Perth 7s tournament on January 24-26.

The team assembled yesterday for their first training session following the Christmas and New Year break.

“I’m looking at the player’s fitness going to Perth as we want to build on where we are at right now in the series,” he said.

“I’m impressed with the players mental fortitude in their training as it’s not easy to go through the last set of fitness run after going through intense three- two-minute blocks,” he said.

“I told the players that we want to be playing at the intensity of the series and that’s something I’m really proud with today (yesterday). The players not giving up and giving me that intensity.”

Kolinisau has named a team for the McDonalds Fiji Coral Coast sevens next week while eight members of the squad players joined Mike Fridays Select sevens team.

He will select his team to the Perth 7s following the three-day tournament at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka.

“We want to get better at our defense especially in the dying moments of the game and we want to make sure that we don’t give opportunities to our opponents.”

He added he urged players to improve communication and decision making on the field.

He indicated all the spots in the team are up for grabs for the Perth 7s leg.

“The goal for Perth is to win it and the players know the goal for the season is to try to win the series although it’s a one-year cycle into a four year build up,” he said.

“I’m privileged that the organisers of the Coral Coast 7s tournament see feat to include to their walk of fame and I’m grateful for the journey that God has taken me through.”

Kolinisau said he was hopeful that he would inspire young Fijian boys to follow in his footsteps.

Feedback: ioane.asioli@fijisun.com.fj