New Fijiana coaches named – Saiyasi Fuli, Alivereti Doviverata
Fiji Rugby Union says appointments are key targets to doing well in the upcoming sanctioned tournaments by World Rugby.
Saiasi Fuli is the new head coach of the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s team replacing Ro Alifereti Doviverata.
This is among the new appointments made by the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) yesterday. Fuli will step into the role following a successful 2018 season as assistant coach with the Fiji Airways Fijian Drua and prior to that the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team.
Fuli is a former Flying Fijians halfback and Fijian 7s rep, and has coached at the provincial and club levels.
Doviverata has been confirmed as the Fiji Airways Fijiana XV Head Coach. The Women’s XV have a very busy schedule next year and Doviverata is tasked to continue with the programme he started last year. He would continue the talent development programme in the lead up to the qualification for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2021. Supporting Fuli is new Strength and Conditioning (S&C) Coach Eroni Sotutu. He joins FRU from High Performance Sport New Zealand where he delivered programming for a multiple range of sports, including 7s rugby. Sotutu also completed an internship with the Fijian men’s 7s in 2017.
In view of Naca Cawanibuka the new focus is on our on-island strength and conditioning programme, to assist and develop and upskill local provincial schools and clubs’ strength and condition coaches.
The FRU has also confirmed the appointment of Ian Gibbons as the Strength and Conditioning (S&C) Head Coach for the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s team.
Gibbons has a wealth of experience having previously held roles across the UK being a strength and conditioning coach in rugby (Saracens) and rugby league (Scorpions).
FRU’s chief executive officer John O’Connor said the appointments were vital as they target to do well in the upcoming sanctioned tournaments by World Rugby.