RUGBY Top Trainer on Cotter’s List

Flying Fijians head coach names coaching staff but is yet to finalise hiring of top fitness expert

FFormer All Blacks back and Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson to be the Flying Fijians attack coach iji Airways Flying Fijians head coach Vern Cotter has put together a strong coaching

Crusaders forwards coach Jason Ryan to be in-charge of the Flying Fijians forwards.

team to assist him.

However, yesterday Cotter was understood to be finalising the services of fitness and conditioning expert Craig White, who is based in Europe. White had worked with the Wales national rugby team under head coach, Warren Gatland, and helped build them up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Top rugby minds like Sir Clive Woodward, Sir Ian McGeechan, Pat Howard and Brian O’Driscoll have highly praised his work,

White worked with the British and Irish Lions and at last year’s RWC, he helped Uruguay score an upset 30-27 win over the Flying Fijians.

It is understood that White has already expressed his interest to join Cotter’s team.

Also, in the team is former Waratahs head coach Daryl Gibson who is going to be the attack coach. Gibson will be in charge of attack when the Flying Fijians contest an eight-team international tournament scheduled for Europe before

Fitness and conditioning expert Craig White is expected to be part of the coaching staff.

Christmas.

It is the first role for Gibson since he ended seven seasons at the Waratahsthe past four as head coach- by standing down midway through their disappointing 2019 campaign. Cotter told NZME he had rounded up an eclectic group of assistants that comprises Gibson, Crusaders forwards coach Jason Ryan, former Scottish international Richie Gray and former top-flight Kiwi referee Glen Jackson.

The Fiji Rugby Union is expected

to comment on the issue today after being briefed by FRU High Performance general manager Simon Raiwalui, who is involved with Cotter in the recruitment process.

If the newly-created Northern Hemisphere tournament goes ahead, Fiji will play in the same pool as Six Nations heavyweights England, Ireland and Wales.

The other pool brings together Japan and Six Nations teams France, Scotland and Italy.