FRU to groom locals in expat coaching roles

All roles involving expatriate appointments will incorporate a structured understudy programme for locals.

Fiji Rugby Union chief executive officer Koli Sewabu said this initiative will foster the development of local coaches through professional development. It will also satisfy immigration requirements for work permits.

Yesterday, FRU advertised seven roles including the: 

• Under-20 head coach, Fijiana XV and Drua women’s head coach, 
• Women’s high performance manager 
• Assistant sevens men’s coach 
• Assistant sevens women’s coach 

“Understudies will receive mentorship from highly experienced and qualified expatriate coaches and management teams who are well-versed in building high-performance environments and culture,” Sewabu said.

He said FRU’s long-term objective is to transition these positions to local coaches in the coming years. 

“To achieve this, candidates will be guided and supported within their roles and, through our partnerships with Tier 1 unions and Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with other developing rugby nations, gain exposure to diverse competitive environments. 

“These experiences will enable them to build their profiles and bring valuable insights back to Fiji, strengthening our game in a way that reflects our identity and aspirations.”

Sewabu added a formal mentoring programme would be developed in collaboration with World Rugby which will be launched in the coming weeks to further support men and women operating within the high-performance space.

“FRU remains steadfast in its commitment to not only grow our rugby programmes but also to strengthen the systems, processes, and structures that underpin sustainable success. Central to this vision is the dexavelopment of local capacity, ensuring that Fijians are equipped to assume key roles in the future,” he added. 

FIJIANA XV HEAD COACH

The role advertised would be for three years from 2026–2029 which is a Rugby World Cup cycle with yearly performance reviews. 

Qualifications for applicants include World Rugby Level 3 coaching accreditation (or equivalent recognised qualification), accreditation Level 4 high performance coaching (attained from a Tier 1 nation with that offer Coaching L4 accreditation) highly desirable and 

World Rugby coach educator or working towards – desirable component to promote coach development strategy. 

Sewabu said current coach Ioan Cunningham was offered an extension of his contract but turned it down.

Cunningham was appointed in February 2025 and led the Fijiana XV to last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup in England. He replaced Mosese Rauluni. 

“After careful consideration, and due primarily to family commitments requiring his (Cunningham) presence in Wales, he has declined the offer. Consequently, the position has been advertised,” Sewabu said. 

HEAD OF WOMEN’S HIGH-PERFORMANCE PATHWAYS

Current GM of women’s HPU Alana Thomas did not accept the offer to extend the newly restructured head of women’s high performance pathways. 

The position has been designed to align the growth of the women’s game from grassroots through to elite level. 

“However, in collaboration with World Rugby, she has agreed to a two-month consultancy role to assist in the recruitment process for these two critical positions above,” Sewabu said. 

“Our women in rugby strategy is in its initial establishment, and this will be developed in the coming weeks.”

FIJI U20 HEAD COACH

Senirusi Seruvakula is the current head coach for the national U20 side. 

“With Fiji’s re-entry into the Junior World Championship in 2026 and participation in SANZAR U20 tournaments, this role is pivotal in building a robust program and developing the depth of future Flying Fijians. 

“The objective is to create a structured high-performance pathway that aligns with our long-term ambition of competing as a Tier 1 rugby nation.”

ASSISTANT COACHES: FIJI MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SEVENS

Sewabu said to FRU is recruiting assistant coaches for both men’s and women’s sevens programmes to support the head coaches and enhance technical capability.

“These appointments are integral to our strategy for podium finishes beyond the World Series and Sevens Championships, as part of our Road to Brisbane 2032 Olympic plan. “Our Road to Brisbane 2032 plan will be developed in the coming weeks,” Sewabu added.