Expat Might Coach
Only four applicants were shortlisted from the long list of applicants, which was confirmed by Fiji Rugby Union High Performance Unit general manager Barrie-Jon Mather on Wednesday.
Friday 02 February 2024 | 14:20
From left: Frank Boivert, Senirusi Seruvakula and Mick Byrne. Photo: Ronald Kumar
Expect an expatriate to be the new Flying Fijians head coach.
This was after acting Flying Fijians head coach Senirusi Seruvakula told SUNsports yesterday that he had applied for the job but was not shortlisted.
Seruvakula said he was not contacted for an interview, which began yesterday at Rugby House in Suva through Zoom.
He was the stand-in coach following Simon Raiwalui's departure in November, last year.
Only four applicants were shortlisted from the long list of applicants, which was confirmed by Fiji Rugby Union High Performance Unit general manager Barrie-Jon Mather on Wednesday.
Also out of the race is former Fiji Rugby Union coaching director, Franck Boivert.
"No news at all, so will have no further comment," Boivert told SUNsports when contacted.
Mather said two applicants were interviewed yesterday and the remaining two today."
"Then we will have one or maybe two, for the second round of interviews; if standouts then bring them in to the islands to see the culture and make connections with the unions, Drua, and players so we can check how they are."
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Mick Byrne had confirmed to SUNsports that he had also applied but referred all questions to FRU.
It is understood that the other coaches who could be interviewed are Super Rugby winning coach Frans Ludeke of South Africa and Flying Fijians assistant coach Daryl Gibson.
A former FRU executive told SUN sports another possible candidate was former Drua assistant coach now Melbourne Rebels defence coach, Brad Harris.
"Brad has coached the Fiji Under- 20, Fiji Warriors, Drua and men's teams," the former FRU executive said.
"Brad has gone through our system and knows what is required.
"If he had applied then he could be a suitable head coach.
"The current financial crisis faced by Rebels could very well see him his return, who knows?"
Harris was the Georgia forwards coach before becoming Seruvakula's assistant coach on their way to win the Australia National Rugby Championship (NRC) in 2018.
He was Gareth Baber's assistant coach with the Fiji men's rugby sevens side that won the gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
- Mather said the successful candidate would be announced in mid-February.
Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj
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