Cotter starts duties as the new Fiji Airways Flying Fijians head coach
New Flying Fijians head coach wait for coronavirus restrictions to be lifted before flying over
Fiji Airways Flying Fijians head coach Vern Cotter has officially started with the Fiji Rugby Union, says a senior official.
FRU chief executive officer John O’Connor said there were plans for Cotter to fly in April but it was put on hold due to the lockdown of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’ve been communicating with Cotter who is now in New Zealand,” he said.
O’Connor said they are waiting for the directives by Government on the coronavirus situation in the country before they make their move.
He highlighted if restrictions are lifted then Cotter will be coming over where they are going to look at the July Test matches, the end of the year’s tour to Europe and other issues as well
GEORGIA
O’Connor also confirmed the Flying Fijians are playing Georgia in their third Test match of the November tour to Europe.
They played at last year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan where the Flying Fijians won 45-10.
Barring any cancellation due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Flying Fijians are billed to play the All Blacks XV on October 30 at the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada.
The Fijians then face Wales in their first Test on November 7 before taking on the French Barbarians on November 14 and Georgia on November 21.
RELIEF FUND
Meanwhile, World Rugby has created a FJ$227m relief fund to help relieve the financial pressure on the global game from the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are taking unprecedented action as a sport united to support global rugby, its unions, competitions and players,” said World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont.
The global governing body is also exploring options for rearranging the international rugby calendar in the short term in preparation for sport restarting.
World Rugby’s contingencies include the possibilities that cross-hemisphere travel may not be permitted, which would impact on the northern hemisphere’s autumn series, and that no international rugby at all may be feasible until 2021.
“We are rapidly moving towards a viable calendar solution and, while compromises are being made, the outcome will be in the best interests of the whole game,” added Beaumont. For the Six Nations unions and Australia, Argentina, South Africa and New Zealand in the southern hemisphere, World Rugby said a financial package would “potentially involve a combination of advances and loans”. “World Rugby is also committed to supporting emerging nations and regional associations where required,” it added in a statement.
Beaumont is being challenged by World Rugby vice-chairman Agustin Pichot as he runs for re-election to his post next month. Beaumont’s nomination was seconded by FRU.