‘Waqa well suited for chief operations’

The appointment of Talemo Waqa as acting chief operations officer for the Fiji Rugby Union would be a big boost. 

The board made the announcement on Saturday. 

Waqa will oversee all operational functions of FRU, with a strong focus on organisational efficiency, innovation, and sustainable growth.

The appointment is an acting one, pending the official endorsement of a new organisational structure, after which the position will be advertised. 

The board stated the move is crucial to free the CEO to focus on strategic priorities, most notably the significant workload ahead of Fiji hosting the 2026 Nation’s Championship in the UK. Preparations are already underway and are demanding considerable executive attention.

FRU chief executive officer (CEO) Koli Sewabu said Waqa brings a rare depth of experience, institutional knowledge, and leadership credibility to this role. 

“His understanding of high-performance sport, governance, and the unique fabric of Fiji Rugby makes him exceptionally well suited to lead our operations during this important phase of growth,” Sewabu said. 

“We are confident that under his guidance, the organisation will continue to move forward with clarity, stability, and purpose.”

His appointment reinforces FRU’s commitment to high-performance standards, strong governance, and long-term development of the game at all levels.

He was a former manager of the FRU High Performance Unit and served for 13 years as regional training manager with Oceania Rugby, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening high-performance systems and advancing rugby development across the region.

A highly respected leader in sports administration with more than 30 years of experience across sports management, education, and high-performance consultancy, Waqa brings exceptional expertise and strategic vision to this critical role.

Background

Waqa is the founder and managing director of Kiliati Enterprise, a leading sports management and high-performance consultancy firm. 

He currently serves as regional training manager for Oceania Rugby under World Rugby, where he has played a central role in delivering leadership, management, and coaching programs throughout the Pacific region.

His professional experience includes extensive consultancy work with major sporting bodies such as ONOC (Oceania National Olympic Committees) and FASANOC (Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee), contributing significantly to the development of sport across the region.

Within Fiji Rugby, Mr Waqa has previously held senior leadership roles including Manager for Rugby Development, Referees, and the High-Performance Unit. Beyond sport, he has served the education sector for over two decades as both a teacher and administrator.

Key Achievements & Expertise

Waqa’s career highlights include:

• World Rugby Master Trainer and Regional Training Manager – Oceania Rugby
• Former Manager – High-Performance Unit, Fiji Rugby Union (2009–2011)
• Consultant for ONOC OSEP, FASANOC, and numerous national federations
• Lead developer of strategic plans for sporting organisations including Fiji Football, Weightlifting Fiji, Boxing Fiji, and others
• Extensive experience in planning and delivering major regional and international sporting events including the Pacific Games, Oceania Rugby Sevens, and World Rugby events
• Widely recognised for his contributions to sports education, leadership development, and capacity building across the Pacific