A disappointed Senirusi Seruvakula felt he has been used by the Fiji Rugby Union following the announcement of Mick Byrne as the new FIJI Water Flying Fijians coach.
The FRU Trust Board announced Byrne’s appointment on Tuesday afternoon after months of discussions with World Rugby.
Despite numerous calls and backing by major rugby unions such as Suva and Naitasiri rugby for Seruvakula to be given a chance, the FRU together with World Rugby chose Byrne as head coach with promise of Fiji’s participation with more Tier 1 teams.
Seruvakula was in the acting coach position when Simon Raiuwalui left to join World Rugby and he was one of the two short-listed candidates for the top job which has been given to the Fijian Drua mentor.
“Sometimes I feel I have been used,” Seruvakula said in an interview with this newspaper.
“I groom players and someone else just comes and take the reward.”
It’s not the first time, Seruvakula has been shoved to the back as he was understudy for the Flying Fijians coach in the last three World Cups.
“It’s disappointing but I have to take it on the chin and move on.”
The Wainibuka man added that as of now he is not clear on whether he will be part of the Flying Fijians coaching team.
“It’s not up to the FRU but Mick will decide who he wants as his staff.”
Seruvakula is currently the coach of the Rooster Chicken Fiji Warriors competing at the Pacific Challenge in Samoa.
The FRU stated in the coach’s announcement that in collaboration with the World Rugby, they are committed to support a coach development program aimed at increasing the pool of possible Fijian-based coaches with the ability to step into such roles, and to expose them to different opportunities, either within Fiji through education and development, or overseas with other High-Performance unions and clubs.
