New Flying Fijians head coach ready to work within Fiji Rugby’s limits
With 353 days until the World Cup, he says the Flying Fijians must build unity and identify eligible, available and injury-free players.
Wednesday 14 October 2026 | 10:00
Updated 14 October 2026 | 11:01 FJT
Flying Fijians head coach Jake White during the press conference at the Wesley Church Hall at Butt Street in Suva on October 13, 2026.
Photo: Asenaca Ratu
Newly appointed Flying Fijians head coach Jake White is well aware of the challenges facing Fiji Rugby.
This includes limited resources, operating on a shoestring budget and the difficulty of assembling overseas-based players for Test matches, when the team is often at the mercy of their clubs.
Speaking to SUNsports yesterday, White acknowledged that Fiji did not have the same resources as South Africa but said he was ready to work within the available budget and structures.
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“Well, let's be fair, this is not South Africa and I've been very privileged to coach South Africa,” he said.
“I understand that and part of my interview with the board was exactly on that. It's not South Africa but there are a lot of things that are in favour of Fiji as well.”
White, who coached the Springboks to victory at the 2007 Rugby World Cup (RWC), believes the Flying Fijians can raise their standards by maximising their strengths as they prepare for next year's Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The Flying Fijians are in Pool C alongside Argentina, Spain and Canada.
White said the extended preparation period before the RWC would be crucial to improving the team's performance.
He said the high-performance department would work with 50 to 60 players as they compete for places in the World Cup squad. White also indicated that he would raise the bar for selection.
“I want to make it difficult (players) to play for Fiji. I want to make it difficult for them (players) to get into the team,” the 62-year-old said.
White said competition for places would be vital, particularly with Fiji having several quality players capable of filling the same positions.
He acknowledged the frustration of not having the country's best players together for every Test match but said the priority was to identify the right players and prepare them for the World Cup.
“But when we get to June next year and we have an extended time together with our best players here. They are to get conditioned and have time together to go through the details that we need to win the World Cup.”
White said his immediate task was to identify the players needed to build a competitive Flying Fijians squad.
“I think what's important of all, we need to get the best team to Australia next year. We need to find out who's eligible, who's available, who's injury-free. It's going to be a bit of management going forward.
“We've got 353 days between now and the World Cup. So there's not much time left and we've got to try and get as much unity and togetherness as we can. There's no grey area to that. You're either in or you're out.”
Today, White will travel to the West to meet with the current Flying Fijians coaching panel and decide on the final squad selection for the Japan Test on October 24, followed by the Nations Championship.
The Flying Fijians will face France in Lyon on November 7, Ireland in Dublin on November 14 and Italy in Udine on November 21.
White also indicated that he was looking to bring in a lineout coach.
