Four Fijian players have been shortlisted for Sevens Player of the Year at next month's World Rugby Awards, however their two Olympic medal winning coaches have been overlooked.
Alowesi Nakoci has been nominated for World Rugby Women's Sevens Player of the Year. Photo: AFP
Tokyo 2020 gold medallists Napolioni Bolaca and Jiuta Wainiqolo have been nominated for Men's Sevens Player of the Year, alongside New Zealand co-captain Scott Curry and Argentina's Marcos Moneta.
It continues Fiji's streak of having at least one player nominated for the award every year since 2013.
New Fijian Drua signing Bolaca made his debut for the Fiji sevens back in 2019 while Toulon flyer Wainiqolo has never played on the World Series and marked his first appearance at a major international tournament by scoring the first try at the Tokyo Games.
Napolioni Bolaca challenges the New Zealand defence during the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, Rugby Sevens Men's Gold Medal Match. Photo: AFP
Fijiana sevens stars Alowesi Nakoci and Reapi Ulunisau have been nominated for Women's Sevens Player of the Year, alongside New Zealand captain Sarah Hirini and Anne-Cécile Ciofani of France.
Ulunisau finished as the top try-scorer in Tokyo with eight as the duo helped the Fijiana to secure a historic bronze medal.
However, Gareth Baber and Siaisi Fuli have missed out on a nomination for Coach of the Year, despite leading their teams to the Olympic gold and bronze medals in Japan.
The co-coaches of the New Zealand women's sevens team, Allan Bunting and Cory Sweeney, have been shortlisted for the award after guiding the Black Ferns Sevens to victory in the women's competition, but Baber was overlooked despite doing the same.
Gareth Baber (pictured) and Saiasi Fuli have not been nominated. Photo: Fiji Rugby
The other three nominees are England women's coach Simon Middleton, who led the team to the Six Nations title, All Blacks coach Ian Foster, who has presided over defeats by South Africa and Ireland this season, and Wallabies coach Dave Rennie, who has overseen six defeats from 13 matches.
The World Rugby Awards will be virtually handed to their recipients from 6-10 December.