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Fiji name interim head coach following the exit of Simon Raiwalui
By Liam Heagney
The Fiji Rugby Union have appointed assistant Senirusi Seruvakula as interim head coach of the Fiji national team following the post-Rugby World Cup departure of Simon Raiwalui last month.
Raiwalui led the side to the quarter-finals, their first appearance at that stage of the tournament in 16 years, but he confirmed soon after their defeat to England in Marseille that he wouldn’t be seeking a contract renewal after taking on the job after the early 2023 exit of Vern Cotter.
A statement read: “Fiji Rugby is pleased to announce Senirusi Seruvakula as the acting coach of the Fiji Water Flying Fijians. FRU Administrator Simione Valenitabua said after considering all the options, the Fiji Rugby Football Union trust board has decided to appoint Seruvakula for the top job who will act till January next year.
“He further added that the Fiji coach’s position will be advertised in the near future and confirmed by January next year. Seruvakula has achieved many milestones since joining Fiji Rugby in 2016.
“His achievements so far are as follows: 2016-2019 champion of World Rugby Pacific Challenge Trophy with Fijian Warriors; 2017-2019 champion of Australia’s National Rugby Championship with Fijian Drua; 2019 – assistant coach Flying Fijians for Test match against the Barbarians; 2022 – champion of Super W with Fijian Drua; 2022 – champion of Oceania womens competition; 2022 – head coach Rugby World Cup with Fijiana 15s; 2023 – assistant coach Fiji at Rugby World Cup.”
Valenitabua said: “We would like to congratulate Seruvakula, who has been evidently knocking at the door for a long time. I and the FRFUT board believe that he deserves the Flying Fijians coaching job after being with the feeder teams for multiple years.”
Seruvakula added: “With new players coming in the Fijian Drua and having some outstanding performance by the players during our local competitions, I will certainly draw up a depth chart and project the path towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.”
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Latest Comments
Agreed. As a Saffa I have much respect for the ABs. I also have to say given any option I would ONLY prefer to lose to ABs. To lose to England is probably the most embarrassing think to happen to either of us.
There was a time when both of us lost to England and we both hated it. Thankfully those days are behind us. Kudos to you guys, kudos to ABs. But dear old BS seems to hate us Boks. No idea why.
Go to commentsI got the sense that holding him to it was kickback from SB and the rfu smarting at being jilted quite so soon, so unexpectedly and so publicly.
Seem to remember that they spoke to Gustard before appointing Joe and you really have to think he would have come in at a higher level?
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