Drua CEO confirms final three for head coach role

The race to become the next Fijian Drua head coach has narrowed, with the club shortlisting three candidates from an initial field of 42 applicants.

Drua chief executive officer Jeff Miller has confirmed the remaining candidates are from Australia and New Zealand.

Miller has repeatedly said the successful applicant must already have an affinity with Fiji and experience working with Fijian players.

The club is now conducting final interviews before making an appointment.

While the identities of all three shortlisted candidates have not been confirmed, former Drua forwards coach Chris Gibbes and former Drua defence coach Brad Harris are understood to be among the leading contenders.

Chris Gibbes

Gibbes is the current Drua forwards coach and brings extensive coaching experience from New Zealand, Europe and the international game.

He played lock for Hawke's Bay, Waikato, Thames Valley and the New Zealand Colts between 1994 and 2000 before moving into coaching.

His coaching résumé includes leading Waikato to two National Provincial Championship finals and Ranfurly Shield success between 2009 and 2012.

He later coached the Wellington Lions to the 2017 championship title and promotion to the Premiership before guiding the side to the NPC semifinals in 2018.

Gibbes served as a senior assistant with the Hurricanes from 2020 to 2023 and has also coached in Japan, Georgia, Wales and with the New Zealand Under-20s.

One of his career highlights came as head coach of the Māori All Blacks, leading the side to a historic 32-17 victory over Ireland in 2018.

He also has strong family ties to Fiji. His grandmother is from Rotuma and his father was born in Suva.

Brad Harris

Former Drua defence coach Brad Harris is another strong contender.

Harris was considered a leading candidate for the head coach's position after Mick Byrne departed at the end of the 2024 season before Glen Jackson was appointed.

He later joined the Melbourne Rebels before signing with the Western Force.

During his time with the Drua from 2022 to 2024, the club reached the Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinals in consecutive seasons.

He also helped the Rebels improve defensively before playing a key role in the Western Force's push for a playoff place this season.

Harris has a long association with Fijian rugby.

He was assistant coach to Senirusi Seruvakula when the Drua won Australia's National Rugby Championship in 2018.

He later served as Gareth Baber's assistant with the Fiji men's sevens team, helping the side win Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games.

Harris was also the Flying Fijians' defence coach during the 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign, where Fiji reached the quarterfinals.

Known for his demanding coaching style, Harris has also worked as Georgia's forwards coach.