Ben Gollings appointed head coach of Fiji 7s
Ben Gollings holds the record for most points scored in 7s rugby
©PA
Fiji have appointed Ben Gollings as the new head coach of the sevens side with immediate effect.
He will take over the role from Gareth Baber, who stepped down from the position at the end of last month and has signed a three-year contract with the Fiji Rugby Union.
Baber was appointed in 2016 and has won 11 tournaments with the Fijians, beating the previous record set by Ben Ryan of nine. He also guided Fiji to win the 2018-19 World Rugby Sevens Series after close a battle for points with the United States throughout the series.
Gollings has a wide experience of playing for the England 7s side between 2010 and 2011 and holds the record for most points scored in the format having amassed 2652 points spread across 70 tournaments. In 2012, Gollings took up a sevens coaching role in Sri Lanka. He then relocated to Seattle in the United States to take up a major role with Serevi Rugby.
“We had many great battles when I was playing over the years but since I have shifted into coaching, I think it’s no better opportunity to coach the World’s best team in the 7s arena," he said.
“I am thankful to Fiji Rugby for giving me the opportunity to coach this team and am looking forward to working with the exceptional group of boys in Fiji.
“The immediate focus of course is towards the HBSC Sevens Series, Commonwealth Games and the Sevens World Cup next year in South Africa.”
“Winning two gold medals back-to-back is something special and I know it’s a big challenge to take on but I believe that my passion for the game meets the passion of the nation so if we can match the two together and enhance the talent in Fiji then we could achieve our ultimate goals in the coming years.
“I was in Dubai during the first two legs, and I got to watch the Fijian Sevens performance live.
"Obviously, it’s a very new look team so I think my first real focus is just to observe and have really important conversations and start building some key relationships, understanding and the way they have been training so that I really push on the right button.”
