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Fiji delay naming of Raiwalui successor as French coach gets backing
The Fiji Rugby Union has confirmed there will be a delay in naming a head coach to replace Simon Raiwalui, whose time in charge ended after the Rugby World Cup in France.
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FRU interim chairman Peter Mazey told the Fiji Sun that a previous announcement planned for this week had been amended as the selection panel continues to study the merits of the shortlist.
Previously, Fiji High Performance Unit chief Barrie-Jon Mather had said the process would be concluded by this week, and the delay comes as local media claimed Flying Fijian players based in Europe are pushing for Franck Boivert to be considered in the final round of selection.
Boivert, a French national who has been living in Fiji for 27 years, is a former Fiji Rugby coaching director who is now Nadroga Rugby director of coaching.
Fijian Drua head coach Mick Byrne, who guided the side to the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs last season, and interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula were expected to be the two leading names in the hat having reached the second round of interviews last week. New Zealand’s Daryl Gibson and Frans Ludeke of South Africa are two other coaches linked to the process.
Mazey said: “The final decision hasn’t been made as we’re waiting for references (for the candidates) and other information like contracts to be looked at. We are hoping to get the information and to go through it. We are not rushing the process to ensure that the right person is selected.
“We were hoping to do it by the end of the week but there won’t be an announcement.”
Support for Boivert has been noted throughout the process with Sailosi Naiteqe Sr, former Naitasiri head coach and Fiji 7s rugby selector, stating: “FRU should give Boivert the position of Flying Fijians head coach. Boivert was involved in rugby in Fiji as coach, development officer, HPU manager, technical adviser from club, provincial and national level.”
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Mazey has previously made it clear the successful candidate will be expected to live full-time in Fiji and take charge of the entire high-performance system in the islands. A number of previous coaches have flown in and out of Fiji for training blocks while living abroad.
Comments on RugbyPass
And they came from behind to win two big games before the final. No one can say what would have happened. Had the boks gone behind the game plan changes and the result may changes. Ifs and ands are irrelevant. The boks won. Neutral critics enjoyed the games they played. Its not a popularity contest. Get over it and move on.
82 Go to commentsI'm happy for the people of SA to get a second WC. And I mean that. I was very disappointed with this man's “stand on the hand” incident with Josh Van Der Flyer (Ireland). Ireland's downfall in the last WC was they did not rotate their first 15 as the head coach probably should have. That said, I'm happy for SA and genuinely hope it lifts the mood in their country. Ireland did beat them in the first match of the tournament. And before the trolls start trolling ….. please don't bother. Etzbeth said recently that the Irish players said after the match “see you in the final”…..this was actually wishing the SA team the best of luck in the rest, the Irish team were not dismissing the AB’s. This is what Etzbeth was implying. But he was wrong. I no longer live in Ireland. But I hope to see them lift that cup before I pass. Anyway, congratulations SA. 👍
12 Go to commentsMore bloody click bait. Dan Carter has said absolutely nothing. As he should do. Poor journalism again from a site that should know better
9 Go to commentsOh god please help these loosers get over it!!!! You lost. Doesn't matter how many times you dummies are gonna analyse the game, you still lost and we are still Rygby World Champions….get over it, you lost.
82 Go to commentsThe next Willie le Roux. SA are made not to use him.
2 Go to commentsDan has always been as controversial as tea with milk so we were never going to get any definitive answer. So DMac for the win.
9 Go to commentsGoodness. When are the All Blacks and New Zealand commentators going to stop complaining about how they could have won and just try to win next time 😂. In South Africa if you lose you get up and try again. Get over it.
82 Go to commentsHonestly, it doesn’t matter a whole lot. RSA has a ton of experienced talent in its leadership group. I am more interested in who is the new 8 man/8 men and the younger props. The captain may change but the system does not
1 Go to comments“See you in the final” can mean whatever you want it to mean. To me it means that 12 Irish rugby players are a bunch of poeses. See y’all in Pretoria.
134 Go to commentsBen, you are one of the most arrogant and self opionated rugby critics I have ever come across (next to Keohane). I hoped that after SA beating the best ranked teams in the world on their way to the WC (something not done before) that you might have the grace to admit that this is a special team that deserved the accolades coming their way. You have no humility and as has been been already pointed out, merely a troll to attract audience numbers. Count me out in the future.
82 Go to comments‘War of independence’. Such a grand name for a few skirmishes. Where were all the great battles of this ‘war’ ? Smith got goosebumps as he was being emotionally manipulated, another mushroom.
1 Go to commentsFor all those disputing the veracity of Etzebeth’s very public recollections of the Irish players’ comments, I have one question: should we be holding our collective breath in anticipation of a barrage of strenuous denials from the Irish squad? Then again, perhaps not…
134 Go to comments> If the game of rugby is to grow globally, then the rugby Sth Africa play needs to be exterminated. Their performances at World Cup ‘19 & ‘23 were the antithesis to what the game should be. If the World Cup final is the grand spectacle of the game, please no more having to endure the drudgery and insipid ‘style ‘ of play harking back to pre WWII days, where the soulless rugby of the Bok reflected the mindset of a nation. > Gotta agree with Ben Smith, “ the Springboks took the trophy by default, with what might be the most unimpressive escape of all time “.
82 Go to commentsI think Rassie should bring in some new guys and give them a go in these irrelevant games. It’s a chance to blood some guys that might otherwise not get a chance and see if they’re up to it. As for the who’s number 1 dispute? Don’t care. As long as the trophies are brought home, that argument isn’t important. Champions don’t fuss about the could’ve, would’ve, should’ve. They just do, and that for me makes SA and NZ the top dogs. Followed by Ireland and occasionally England.
225 Go to commentsThis is like the “catches win matches" saying in cricket. If ABs were pragmatic and kicked for goal instead of hunting tries, I reckon they win that game with ease. Instead, nearly 6 months later; we have World Rugby's official mouthpiece celebrating their Almost Won the Rugby World Cup trophy. Fine Victory Gentleman! Well-earned!!
82 Go to comments“…the All Blacks nearly won…” is the only phrase you need to concern yourself with relative to this “journalistic” piece. Enjoy your Almost Won the World Cup victory…
82 Go to commentsAw common. Stop winging. There were no errors by officials. It is all recorded. Whose fault was the Cane red card? Or the Savea knock? Maybe the selectors who insisted on making a very average player their captain should be blamed. Something had to give way.
82 Go to commentsThe latest ‘Ireland are arrogant’ attack from one of the two most arrogant rugby nations on earth.
134 Go to commentsWaawaawaaaaaaaa
24 Go to commentsHow does this guy still have a job?
82 Go to comments