Is there a rift between two time Olympic Games gold medallist Jerry Tuwai and Fiji Airways Fiji men’s rugby sevens coach Ben Gollings?

It is understood that Tuwai had requested the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU), if he could be excused from the national sevens training squad and rejoin the side in March, next year.

FRU while approving his request had asked Tuwai, if he could assist coaching the Fiji women’s sevens team, to which he agreed.

This was confirmed to SUNsports on October 26 by FRU interim Trustees chairman Peter Mazey.

“Jerry is currently assisting our women’s 7s team as they have the Oceania shortly and must qualify there for the Olympics; our men’s have
already qualified,” Mazey wrote in his email in October.

Tuwai has been heavily involved with his boxing promotions; the latest was in November 14.

He recently was announced ambassador for one of the country’s leading hardware stores.

He is also working on a number of projects.

The 34-year-old was named the World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year in 2019 and in 2020, he was announced World Rugby Sevens Player
of the Decade.

He played for Fiji when they won the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and captained the side to win gold again at the Tokyo
2020 Olympic Games.

This was followed by the national sevens team winning the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2022.

Tuwai along with Viliame Satala were appointed as Gollings assistants in 2021.

A former FRU board of director, who did not want to be named said the pathway was set for Tuwai to be the national sevens head coach
when he retires.

“He (Tuwai) has the making to be a great sevens coach,” the board member said.

However, it is understood that difference arose when Tuwai and the senior players’ advice were often snubbed by the head coach.
The cause was believed to be an influence  of another former national rugby rep (not Satala) had on Gollings.

The players in the sevens training squad are well aware of all these problems.

The FRU has also gone silent over repeated emails from SUNsports requesting for an explanation on Tuwai’s absence, the rift with Gollings
and whether the influence by the former national rugby rep has contributed to the problem.

The national men’s rugby sevens team have not won any HSBC SVNS since last year. Last Saturday, the Fijians finished fourth in the Dubai
HSBC sevens tournament.

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj