There is no denying that Iliesa Tanivula has a job on his hands.
In the eyes of the Fijian public Waisale Serevi can do very little wrong, so replacing the country's greatest star as national Sevens coach is a big ask for anybody.
Tanivula enters his first World Series tournament, Wellington's NZI Sevens, knowing that Fiji's last victory came in April 2007, under Serevi's leadership. His predecessor also twice led them to victory on the game's biggest stage at two Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1997 and 2005.
And yet Tanivula's past also speaks volumes. It defines him as a rugby man and paints a clear picture of the way in which he aims to revive Fiji's fortunes. When it comes to his rugby head, Tanivula is a New Zealander.
Although Fijian-born, the stocky former winger plied his trade in his adopted country. He played for Auckland in the National Provincial Championship, earning the Player of the Year accolade in 2003, and also represented the Blues and the Highlanders in the Super 12.
"I'm Fijian at heart but my rugby's New Zealand," he told Total Rugby.
"That's one thing I've learned from New Zealand, the way to play the game mentally and physically. It's been good for me to experience it. I've no regrets and that's one thing I now want to share with my players, to have that mental toughness to keep going. That's one thing we're lacking, but we'll learn."
Most tellingly, however, he also played for the New Zealand Sevens team in the late 1990s - under peerless coach Gordon Tietjens. That means that he has seen at first hand how Tietjens operates, what he demands of his players, how much it hurts to perform well enough in training to earn kiwi selection.
Learning from a master
"Gordon Tietjens is known around the world, he's probably one of my best coaches," said Tanivula.
"I think the mental side of the game is what New Zealand are very good at, learning from Tietj (Tietjens), you've just got to deal with situations, get the fitness right, work on your combinations and get the discipline.
"We've had a hard time the last few days (since the forced retirement of Serevi). It's been intense but that's life. I've been given the job and I just have to deal with it.
"What happened with Serevi really shocked the public in Fiji and the outcry was there. He's done some good work but I've got to move on from here."
What Tanivula does not have in Wellington is the luxury of bringing on a proven match-winner to break a game. Neumi Nanuku, William Ryder, Lepani Nabuliwaqa, Emosi Vucago, Semisi Naevo and Timoci Matanavou have all proved unstoppable in recent times but none are in the current squad.
Instead Tanivula has four newcomers to mould in his image. Perhaps one or two will burst onto the international stage and make real names for themselves in Wellington. Whether they do or not, the new coach is relishing the prospect of putting fresh heart into Fijian Sevens, by putting his New Zealand head to good use.
Rasileka drafted in for Tuwai
The Digicel Fiji Sevems management has announced that Pio Tuwai is injured and will be replaced by William Rasileka, captain of the Fiji Barbarians team that competed at the Punta del Este Sevens last month.
Tuwai was injured while unloading team luggage at Auckland Airport on arrival in New Zealand. He is suffering from lumbar intravertebral disc inflammation, which is causing lower back pain.
“He was diagnosed by the tournament doctor, who has confirmed the injury,” said team manager Alifereti Malo.
"Tuwai is unfit to travel. Hence, he will not be returning to Fiji until cleared to travel. He will remain with the team.”
