Cotter eager to get back into rugby
Flying Fijians head coach works on his plans as he prepares for his new assignment
Fiji Airways Flying Fijians head coach Vern Cotter is preparing himself for his new assignment.
Fiji Rugby Union chief executive officer John O’Connor last week confirmed that Cotter has officially started. He is held back in New Zealand, due to restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking to FRU Media yesterday, Cotter said this had given him time to focus on the Flying Fijians by getting a plan in place.
“For now my focus is on getting better myself,” the former Scotland head coach said.
The Flying Fijians are due to play Samoa, Tonga and Australia in the July Test window. The FRU is working with World Rugby on the situation due to the virus threat. On October 26, the Flying Fijians face the All Backs XV at the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada.
This is followed by the November tour to Europe. They take on Wales on November 7, followed by the November 14 clash against the French Barbarians and the November 21 clash with Georgia.
Cotter has completed his contract with top French club Montpellier. “We had to leave France quickly to pick up our two eldest children from boarding school in New Zealand
before it closed. We only just made it,” he said.
“It has been a big lifestyle change after spending 14 years in Europe to come back to our sheep and beef farm in the Bay of Plenty but we are enjoying life in New Zealand.” Cotter said he had been trying to get his children around the farm.
“I’ve been pretty busy really, nothing new just looking at old rugby games,” he said.
“My family keeps me entertained. We are a close family having lived abroad for so long in different cultures. It’s nice having everyone together.”
Taking a break from rugby, Cotter said, he really missed the camaraderie, game preparation and competition.