FRU Appoint Key Coaching Roles

Fiji Rugby Union are pleased to announce the appointment of a number of key coaching positions to the Rugby 7s and Fijiana XV high performance programmes.

Mr Saiasi Fuli has been appointed Head Coach of the Fiji Airways Fjiana 7s who are currently mid-season in their 2019 HSBC Women’s Sevens Series campaign.  Mr Fuli will step into the role following a successful 2018 season as Assistant Coach with the Fiji Airways Drua and prior to that the Fiji Airways Fiji 7s.  Fuli is a former Flying Fijian and Fiji 7s representative and has coached the RFMF Rugby team as well as Suva Rugby Club in the Skipper Cup. 

Supporting the new Head Coach in the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s programme is new Strength and Conditioning (S&C) Coach Mr Eroni Sotutu.  Mr Sotutu joins Fiji Rugby Union from High Performance Sport New Zealand where he deilvered programming for a multiple range of sports including rugby 7s.  Mr Sotutu also completed an internship with the Fiji Mens 7s in 2017.

Ratu Alifereti Doviverata concludes his time with the Fijiana 7s programme and will move back to the Fiji Airways Fijiana XV  Head Coach position.  The women’s XV programme will continue their talent development programme in lead up to qualification for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Finally the Fiji Airways Fiji 7s programme will be boosted by the appointment of Mr Ian Gibbons into the Strength and Conditioning (S & C) Head Coach role.  Mr Gibbons is the former Kenya 7s S & C coach and has a wealth of experience having previously held roles across the UK with rugby (Saracens) and rugby league (Scorpions).

Fiji Rugby Union Board and CEO are delighted with the appointment of such high calibre expertise into the high performance department and welcome the new additions into the organisation as they continue to deliver successful outcomes for our key national programmes.