Ben Gollings brings World Cup-winning expertise to Solomon Islands sevens development push

Ben Gollings, the coach who guided Fiji to the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens title, has lent his expertise to the Solomon Islands rugby programme ahead of the National Rugby 7s competition at Town Ground Rugby Stadium in Honiara, as the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF) looks to build a sustainable pathway for the sport.

Gollings, 46, met and worked with several teams during his visit, with a focus on developing younger players through sevens and exploring long-term international pathways. SIRUF is understood to be in discussions over a potential partnership with the United Kingdom, with British High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands Paul Turner hosting Gollings during the trip.

The National Rugby 7s competition itself produced a series of tight finishes. In the men’s final, Covenant Rugby Club defeated Islanders Rugby Club 12-7, while Malaita Subi edged New Georgia 22-17 in a contest decided in the closing stages. The women’s final proved particularly significant, with Malaita reclaiming the title from Tavuli Orchids, who had won it in 2025.

Malaita Subi captain Madlyn Maefunu reflected on the victory with pride. “It was a bit tough for us with tackling and defence,” she told The Island Sun. “We focused on one mindset: to never give up and keep pushing the ball forward. Being champions means a lot to our team and our players. This is our second time taking the championship title.”

The tournament carries genuine selection stakes. The women’s competition is being used to identify players for a national squad that will travel to New Zealand for the Oceania Sevens, with the side set to be confirmed later this week. High school players will also be selected for a squad heading to the Nadi Junior Rugby Festival in Fiji in December.

Gollings brings a substantial coaching record to the role. He played in 70 tournaments for England over a decade on the SVNS Series and won a silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. More recently, he coached the Chennai Bulls to the inaugural India Rugby Premier League title and led India’s national men’s sevens side to a silver medal at the 2025 Asia Rugby Sevens in Oman, before his World Cup Sevens triumph with Fiji.

His involvement signals a broader ambition within SIRUF to invest in players, coaches, and match officials as rugby sevens continues to grow its footprint across Oceania.