Despite the poverty and lack of facilities, Fiji had always been a frightening prospect for any opponent, especially in sevens – but they were wildly inconsistent. The secret to their success, according to Ryan, was introducing the latest research in sports science and nutrition to players accustomed to stuffing themselves with bulky carbs like taro and cassava, and instilling a sense of steely discipline and organisation.

That said, the success of Fijian players has been something of a double-edged sword, with the country’s best players regularly poached by top overseas clubs – making them ineligible for regular selection on the sevens circuit. Most leading international 15s teams also have a Fijian ‘convert’ or two because of rugby’s lax rules on international eligibility. For players raised in poverty, the riches on
offer playing abroad are too good to turn down. Whole families depend on the wages they earn, especially in the French leagues. It’s more than one man’s hopes and dreams that collapse with a career-ending injury.

So far, most of the Olympic team has remained intact, despite a recent storm in the country after Ryan made public the fact that they hadn’t been paid in three months. Ryan himself went without a wage for several months at the start of his tenure while authorities got their finances sorted out.

Fiji now return to their second home, Hong Kong, and nothing less than victory will suffice. They’re determined to show they’re still the best sevens team in the world, said captain Kolinisau – while former Hong Kong coach Gareth Baber has replaced Ryan, so he’s on familiar territory. ‘The challenge is to stay above everybody else and find new and better ways of doing things,’ says Baber. ‘It’s well documented the quality we have here…my job is to create the culture and winning ways of rugby in Fiji, not just for this generation but the next generation as well.’

As ever, success in Hong Kong will be the inspiration, the showcase – and the party.

Cathay Pacific flies codeshare to Fjii from Hong Kong

Hero image credit: Alamy