Fiji appoint ex-All Blacks consultant in interim coaching role for PNC

Fiji Rugby have announced the appointment of David Ellis as the interim defence coach for the Flying Fijians ahead of the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup, which will be held over consecutive weekends in Japan this month.

Ellis brings more than 25 years of coaching experience into the role, which spans more than 1,000 professional matches at club level and further involvement in 200 Tests, with a specialty in the defensive side of the game.

The highly experienced coach helped France reach the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final, which Les Bleus lost to the All Blacks by just one point, during a stint as the national team’s defence coach from 2000 to 2011.

Ellis was part of the coaching staff when France won multiple Six nations crowns, and worked with the All Blacks as a coaching consultant during the 3-0 series sweet of the British & Irish Lions in 2005.

The coach has, more recently, worked with Romania during the qualification campaign for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. At club level, Ellis has worked with teams such as Gloucester, Castres Olympique, CA Brive, London Irish and Lyon.

Fiji are currently in camp ahead of the PNC, with the reigning champions kicking off their title defence against Canada on September 12. Ellis joins a management group that is led by interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula.

Fiji Rugby Union CEO Koli Sewabu confirmed on Fiji One News last month that Seruvakula would remain in the role for the PNC, although a public ad has since been listed for the role ahead of Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.

“The Fiji Rugby Union invites applications for the position of Head Coach, Flying Fijians, Fiji’s national men’s XV team,” the advertisement states.

“This is an opportunity to lead one of world rugby’s most talented national teams through the period to Rugby World Cup 2027 and to establish the Flying Fijians as a consistent competitor among the game’s leading nations.”

Fiji went winless throughout the inaugural Nations Championship fixtures in July, falling to Wales, England and Scotland in consecutive weekends. The Flying Fijians now look ahead to the PNC, facing Canada in Osaka in less than two weeks.