The problem with this is that the accident flight was also a training flight designed to assess the PIC's performance into SFO on a new type.
If he had declared that he didn't feel he or his crew could 'complete the mission' with the ILS U/S, he is either sent back to the sim for further training or the TC says 'What better way to learn than fly the approach for real. After all, I am there to catch any balls you may drop'
Was the PIC the one undergoing training, or was the pilot with 47 hours in the 777? Regardless of paygrade and "rank" there is only one PIC in the cockpit, and he calls the shots. How can a "PIC" be the trainee? Are you suggesting that the trainee has ultimate authority over the operation of the aircraft?
While I was not addressing this flight in particular, I think you have the cockpit roles of the crew on this flight confused.