SENIRUSI SERUVAKULA

In three words

Relaxed. Receptive. Modest.

Playing CV

A back-row who won one cap for Fiji in 2002, he has lots of global experience. He spent seven seasons at Brothers in Brisbane, another four with Hong Kong’s Tigers and had a spell playing for Châteauneuf-du-Pape in France’s Fédérale One. In Fiji, he played for the Naitasiri province.

Coaching background

After retiring in 2005, he coached Naitasiri U20 before moving up to be assistant coach of the seniors. He then headed to Vatukoula to take up a head coach position when Inoke Male took charge of Fiji. He went on to coach Fiji Warriors before guiding the Fijian Drua men in Australia’s NRC from 2017-19 and assisting John McKee when Fiji beat the Barbarians 33-31 at Twickenham in 2019. The following year he became head coach of the Fiji women’s team.

What he’s known for

Seruvakula is keen for his teams to play what they see and express themselves rather than be bogged down in structure, so he sets out to instil confidence in his charges.

Who’s on his team

A handful of former Fiji players are in the back room. Alongside Seruvakula, Male is looking after the forwards, ex-hooker Greg Smith is in charge of the scrum, while Asaeli Tikoirotuma and Mosese Rauluni are contributing to the back-line and attack.

Biggest achievement

Seruvakula has guided the men’s and women’s Drua to success in Australian competitions. In 2018, Fijian Drua clinched the NRC title by beating Queensland Country in the final. In 2022, Fijiana Drua beat defending champions NSW Waratahs to triumph in Super W.