The Fiji Rugby Union is expected to announce its new 7s head coach next week to replace Olympics gold medal winner Gareth Baber.
He is expected to lead the Fiji 7s team to the next leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series in Spain. This was revealed yesterday by union chief executive officer John O’Connor.
“We are in the process now of selecting a coach and hopefully by the end of next week,” O’Connor said.
“It is still in due process and it is going through interviews. We received 30 applicants, most were expatriates and we shortlisted seven and the process is still going on.”
The announcement will reveal if a local such as Saiasi Fuli will take over, or an expatriate again.
“We want to appoint the person on merit and being the best person for the job based on the outcome of the interview and experience and so forth. We will not compromise the process. We will appoint the best person the board feels who is right for the job.”
The position comes with loads of targets and responsibilities, O’Connor said. Foremost are wins, and like Ryan and Baber, the peak is the Olympic Games gold medal. It included a medal that had evaded Fiji and the greatest 7s player on Earth, Waisale Serevi.
“We have never won the Commonwealth Games and we had been on silver. That will be next July, the World Cup Sevens in August and the third goal is the Olympics in 2024.”
O’Connor said hopes were high that Serevi’s successor Seremaia ‘Jerry’ Tuwai would be back for the next leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series in Spain after he got married last weekend.
“We haven’t had discussions with Jerry. He has confirmed that he wants to play on and help in coaching too.”
“He had asked to be excused to plan for his wedding. Hopefully, when the players march back into camp next week, he marches in with them.
“Jerry will make the big difference with these young boys in terms of experience and just by talking to the team. We will be very happy if he is available. He indicated that he wants to be excused for Dubai and will be available for the next two series.”
Meanwhile, the Fuli-led Fiji 7s and Fijiana 7s teams will be released tomorrow after completing quarantine following their return from the Dubai 7s.
“The teams have returned and are in quarantine and will be out on Friday to spend time with their families. The teams gather into camp next week until the Christmas week, break up and back into camp after Christmas. The tournament in Spain is on January 21, so we do not have much time. The learning is that we have to step up.”
