Fiji rugby sevens team

Fiji men's sevens up for world breakthrough award despite coaching snub at home

The Fijian men's sevens side that won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games is one of finalists for the 'Breakthrough of the Year' title at the Laureus Sports Awards.

It's a tough category to win though - the victors are up against the likes of shock English Premier League champions Leicester City and Formula One motor racing champion Nico Rosberg.

But Ben Ryan, the Englishman who coached Fiji to Olympic glory, wasn't even nominated by the Fiji Rugby Union as a Coach of the Year finalists at their inaugural awards.

Rio 2016: Fiji rugby sevens team returns home to national celebrations

Thousands of fans lined the flag-bedecked streets of Nadi on Sunday to catch a glimpse of their idols as the team made their way from the airport to an official welcome at a packed Prince Charles Park.

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The players, wearing their gold medals round their necks, were introduced to the ecstatic crowd as "the greatest rugby sevens team in the world".

Ben Ryan: ‘The people’s team’ is primed for Rio

Fiji men's sevens coach Ben Ryan delivers his verdict on what lies in store at Rio 2016.

Rio is at our door. Some teams are there and others are putting their final touches to their preparation before they enter the village. For us, that’s a joint men’s and women’s camp in Santiago before coming into the athlete’s accommodation the day before the opening ceremony. The men’s side will attend that and proudly be walking behind the nation’s flag bearer – our captain and most capped Fijian sevens player of all time – Osea Kolinisau.