Fiji expect their men’s rugby sevens team to win.
After bringing home two Olympics Golds, which are so prized the team’s faces are minted on the nations $7 notes, silver at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games was never going to cut it.
Losing to New Zealand at the World Rugby Los Angeles 7s final last month was another disappointment.
The new head coach, Ben Gollings must’ve been starting to sweat but now the Flying Fijians are world champions again after their 29-12 victory over New Zealand in Cape Town on Monday.
The Melrose Cup, or the “World Cup” is the most prestigious prize in Rugby World Cup Sevens.
Fiji has won the title only twice before in 1997 and 2005.
On Wednesday night the team arrived at Nandi International Airport, returning the cup to the Fijian shores for the first time in 17 years.
A large crowd of media, officials and family greeted the tears amid tears of joy and singing, before garlands were proudly placed around their necks.
“This win was special for the team and the nation,” said Gollings.
“The people are so happy.”
Gollings hung up the boots in 2011 after a decorated career with England which counts him among the best players in sevens history. He’s still holds the career record for most points scored in the World Series Sevens.
But he had no international coaching experience before taking over as Fiji coach nine months ago and had to prove himself with team who were the epitome of Fijian national pride.
The two big aims for 2022 were a gold at the Commonwealth Games and winning the World Cup.
Falling short of a Commonwealth gold, it must have been tears of both relief and joy that rolled down his cheeks as at the sound of final buzzer on Monday.
In a beautiful piece of symmetry, Gollings played for England against Fiji the last time the Pacific Island nation won the World Cup Sevens in 2005.
“I’m so very proud of the team and management and thankful to the support of my wife and family to make the opportunity a reality,” Gollings said.
“We are enjoying the celebrations and look forward to what is ahead.”
Source: ABC Pacific