Reviewing the Flying Fijians’ performance at the Rugby World Cup is top of Barrie-Jon (B-J) Mather’s agenda when he starts with Fiji Rugby on November 27.

Mather, 50, is the new High Performance Unit (HPU) general manager replacing Flying Fijians head coach and former teammate Simon Raiwalui.

Following this year’s RWC, Raiwalui did not wish to extend his contract with FRU, it ends December 31.

“I hope to take the HPU to another level,” Mather said.

Review WC

Asked of his most immediate assignment, he said: “World Cup review and finding the new head coach are the two big things now.

“After that I will go around to meet the unions and stakeholders to get a sense of where Fiji rugby is at nationally then we can go ahead from there,” Mather said.

“HPU needs to work with the unions, identify players and coaches; add more Fijian flavour.

“Gym and facility access for the unions; make sure they get what they need as well.”

The former England international rugby player and current High Performance (HP) Director at the Australian-based NSW Institute of Sport first came to Fiji in 1996 with the Great Britain Lions.

He also had a stint with the Kaiviti Silktails.

Dual International 

Mather holds a BSc (Honours), Master of Business Administration (MBA) and is a Professional Doctorate graduate with over 20 years of applied HP leadership experience in managing elite rugby and other Olympic sport programmes in England and Australia.

He is a dual-code international player, (former rugby league and rugby union player) and was the first Great Britain rugby league player to be capped by England at rugby union.

“I was really happy to be appointed; excited to work with great guys and build on the success of the Flying Fijians and Fijiana. I am looking forward to it.

“I’ve always been a big admirer of Fijian rugby; I played with Simon (Raiwalui) when he was over in the UK, always the best sort of player who has passion for the game.”

Team Drua 

He is impressed with the Fijian Drua and Fijiana Drua teams’ involvement in the Super Rugby and Super W.

He added the Flying Fijians beating England and Australia should be an expectation from the fans and players for the future.

“That’s the level they need to be playing in, week in and week out, if we can help the systems and policies to help the team do that that’s what I’m here for.

“I’ll want to learn the culture, sport – whose involved, who I need to speak to, so it’s a big thing,” Mather added.

Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj