Drua down to final three candidates for head coach role

There are three candidates chasing for the Fijian Drua head coach’s job.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday Fijian Drua chief executive officer Jeff Miller said from the 40 applications, they have done the shortlisting and now it’s down to the final three.

He said all applications had to go through the process.

“We’ve got a shortlist in place and it’s down to three now,” he said.

Miller said a six-member panel was overseeing the selection process.

“Trying to get them together at the same time has been a bit difficult, but I’m hoping we’ll be able to wrap something up within the next two weeks.”

Miller confirmed that there were no applications from local coaches.

“In fact, I can’t think of one application that came from a local coach for the head coach’s role. They were all overseas-based, and a lot of Fijians coaching overseas also applied as assistants rather than head coaches.”

Miller said the three coaches in the running were either from New Zealand and Australia.

“One of the main criteria we put in place was that we wanted the head coach to already have an affinity with Fiji, having worked with Fijian players before, so we’re not starting again from scratch.”

Miller said the Drua were keen to include more local representation in the assistant coaching set-up.

“This year we had all foreign coaches on the men’s coaching staff, but we want to have some Fijian coaches as well.”

He said the club was also focused on aligning its programmes with the Fiji Rugby Union.

“That is from the Flying Fijians through to our development pathways and main squad. Getting that alignment means we’re all on the same page, which will only make Fiji rugby stronger over time.”

Miller said Tim Sampson’s vacant assistant coaching position would be filled after the appointment of the new head coach.

“We need to appoint the head coach first, and then the head coach will work with us to put a complementary coaching team around them.

“The head coach may take responsibility for defence or attack, so we’ll build a coaching group that complements their strengths. The head coach will have input into that process.”

He also revealed the Drua has secured the services of a Fijian strength and conditioning coach, who is returning from overseas.

“That person has signed a contract with us and we’ll announce that soon,” Miller said.