Osborne named Fiji U20 head coach

The Fiji Rugby Union has appointed Andrew Tui Osborne as head coach of the SportsWorld Fijian Under-20 team following a competitive recruitment process.

Osborne was selected from a strong field of applicants and will lead the side to the World Rugby Junior World Cup and beyond.

Currently the director of rugby and head coach at College Station in Texas, United States, Osborne brings extensive international coaching experience, including player development, performance systems and high-performance programme management.

In his current role, he oversees training and talent development, implements data-driven coaching methods and leads tactical planning to improve team performance.

Osborne said he was honoured to return and contribute to Fijian rugby.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as Head Coach of the Fiji U20s and be part of the national pathway,” he said.

“As a Fijian who has spent the past 14+ years coaching and developing players in the U.S. collegiate and professional systems, I’ve been fortunate to learn from structured environments focused on long-term growth and player development.”

“My focus during this term is to support and strengthen the pathway by helping align standards from grassroots to elite levels, while creating an environment that prepares our young players for the demands of international rugby.”

He said he hoped to give back through building a strong team culture and supporting player development.

“I hope to give back by sharing what I’ve learned, contributing to a strong team culture, and helping our players grow both on and off the field in a way that reflects the pride of Fiji Rugby,” he said.

Fiji Rugby general manager high performance Naca Cawanibuka welcomed the appointment, describing Osborne as well suited for the role.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Tui (Andrew Tui Osborne) into the Fiji Rugby family in this important coaching role. Tui is a Fijian, he understands our culture, and he brings with him a rare combination of international playing experience and high-level program management expertise with high level accreditation and education, professional experience in high performance sport.”

“His exposure to elite athlete preparation, coaching methodology, and performance systems across two decades makes him ideally placed to develop our U20 players and equip them for international competition.”

Mr Cawanibuka said the appointment was also a long-term investment in developing Fiji’s rugby pathway.

“More broadly, Tui’s appointment is about more than just results on the field. He will be a key voice in our development and high-performance pathway — sharing knowledge and best practice with our coaches, players, and support staff throughout the FRU system. We see this as a long-term investment in Fijian rugby.”

Osborne will focus on preparing the squad for upcoming international competitions while aligning with Fiji Rugby’s high-performance strategy.

Fiji has been drawn in Pool D for the Junior World Cup in Georgia, where they will face France on June 28, Australia on July 2 and Spain on July 8.

Preparations are expected to begin shortly, with further announcements on training camps and squad selection to follow.