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Ex-Harlequins boss Mark Evans joins a Super Rugby Pacific club
Fijian Drua have named Mark Evans, the former Saracens director of rugby and Harlequins CEO and coach, as new CEO ahead of their second season in the Super Rugby Pacific tournament. Having exited the Premiership in 2011, the versatile administrator went on to work at NRL’s Melbourne Strom and Super Rugby’s Western Force and was seeking out a new CEO role after Global Rapid Rugby was shelved by the pandemic.
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That position has now materialised in Fiji where he will take over on a three-year deal beginning on October 17 from interim CEO Brian Thorburn, who served as a caretaker in the role since the Drua were given the Super Rugby green light in 2021.
Posting a link to a story published by The Fiji Sun, Evans tweeted: “Looks as though I may be moving. Be a hell of a commute otherwise.”
Evans, who told RugbyPass in May 2020 all about Rapid Rugby and his other adventures, said in a Fijian Drua statement: “The opportunity to help build upon the impressive start made by the Drua was extremely attractive.
“Our aim is to put the whole operation on a long-term, sustainable, successful path and become a real force in the competition and in doing so bring pride and enjoyment to all our supporters. I’m really looking forward to being a part of the Drua and Fiji Rugby vuvale soon.”
https://twitter.com/garethreynolds/status/1561996837829107712
Commodore Tawake, the Fiji Rugby chairman, added: “We would like to acknowledge the outstanding work of interim CEO Brian Thorburn, who was instrumental in the setting up and first-year operations of the Fijian Drua. Brian and the small Fijian Drua team worked tirelessly to get us through our historic first season of Super Rugby, and we thank him for leading our brand new franchise so far. Brian returns to Fiji Rugby as our general manager commercial, as we embark on a busy and important next 18 months of the rugby calendar.”
Interim CEO Thorburn said: “This was one of the most important decisions in our short history and the board took its time to get it right. Our executive search firm Odgers Berndtson facilitated an independent and thorough global recruitment process where a number of strong candidates were considered for the role.”
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The Drua statement added: “We are delighted to welcome Mark to Fiji to lead the Drua’s onward journey and help Fijian rugby reach even greater heights. The Drua was created to be that crucial link for our athletes between the domestic rugby competition and the Flying Fijians set-up.
“A strong Super Rugby Pacific franchise is critical for our aspirations of being among the top-ranked rugby nations in the world. With his hands holding the oars of our Drua, Mark will guide the club to do exactly that. Fiji Rugby will also benefit from his wealth of experience in professional rugby and sports in general – both on the commercial and coaching sides.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
2 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
2 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
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