Former New South Wales Waratahs Under-18 coach Gus Anderson will be in charge of the Serua Rugby Union this season.

Last Saturday, Anderson with SRU officials at Thomson Park finalising a squad of 60 players in preparation for the Fiji Rugby Union Vodafone Vanua Championship, which starts on May 2.

Union president Mikaele Leawere said they were fortunate that Anderson had agreed to coach Serua this year.

“He has moved into Pacific Harbour with his family and we are fortunate to secure his services,” Leawere said.

“We have set a target, with Anderson now in as coach, our plan is on track.

“We are determined to be better than last year.”

The former Australian Universities and Vikings second row has just recently returned with the Nadroga side that played a match against Southland.

He coached the NSW Waratahs U-18 for two years, 2018 and 2019.

Two of the handful of players under his wings who have secured places with Super Rugby are Bow Audra (Brumbies) and Joey Walton, now with the Waratahs.

In 2017, he was head coach of the  NSW Schoolboys team, which included the Under-16 and U17 grades.

Anderson’s a drama teacher by profession and an actor who holds the World Rugby Level 3 coaching certificate.

The former Home and Away actor, following the birth of the oldest of his four children, a daughter, took up coaching courses.

“I am honoured to be asked to coach Serua. I hope I could help them (SRU) grow and develop to reach their potential,” Anderson said.

“The standard of rugby I have seen today is good, there is a lot of Fijian magic.

“There are so much rough diamonds that can be cut and polished to perfection.

“We need to be singing from the same song sheet and that is not impossible.

“I want to draw up a list of 60 players and I am amazed with the talent there is with Serua.”

Anderson had moved here with his family consisting of his wife and four children early this year with the two older children now attending Pacific Harbour Primary School.

His five-year-old son Archie had neurosurgery recently; the family has now settled at Pacific Harbour.

Serua is playing its first warm-up match against Nasinu on April 4, 2020, as part of build-up to their first B-division match against Ba on May 2, 2020.
Vunivalu Shield

St John Galoa is the first to challenge the Vunivalu Shield against holders Mau this Saturday at Thomson Park.

Clubs are reminded to pay up their registration fees by this week before the list of challenges will be finalised. There are seven challenge matches this year.

SRU this season boasts six Under-19 sides, four women teams and 24 open men sides.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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