Fiji name a new head coach three weeks after Cotter's sudden exit

Fiji have named Simon Raiwalui as their new head coach just over three weeks after Vern Cotter surprisingly stepped away from the role. New Zealander Cotter had been contracted to take the Pacific Islanders through to the Rugby World Cup in France where they have pool matches later this year versus Wales, Australia, Georgia and Portugal.

However, he quit on February 1 for personal reasons, stating: “I believe we built a great culture which was a testament to some good people working hard and enjoying each other’s company and I’m disappointed to be leaving at this time.”

Fiji, though, haven’t had to wait long to identify their next man up, unveiling Raiwalui, their long-retired second row player, as the successor to Cotter. Raiwalui enjoyed a successful playing career, being capped 43 times by his country and making three tour appearances for the amalgam Pacific Islands team.

He also enjoyed club stints in Europe with Newport, Saracens and Racing before transitioning into coaching where he was a Wallabies assistant under Michael Cheika before becoming general manager of high performance with the Fiji Rugby Union.

A statement read: “Fiji Rugby Union is pleased to announce Simon Raiwalui as the head coach of the Flying Fijians on our road to the Rugby World Cup in France at the end of the year.

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FRU welcomes former Flying Fijian's Captain and Former Wallabies Assistant Coach Simon Raiwalui as Flying Fijians Head Coach.#duavataveilomanirakavi #FijiRugby pic.twitter.com/BRSAoiDgXx

— Fiji Rugby Union (@fijirugby) February 24, 2023

“Raiwalui, who currently is the general manager high performance, will be in charge of the team for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup, international Test matches, and the Rugby World Cup in France. FRU board deputy chairman-director Daniel Whippy congratulated Raiwalui on his appointment and wished him all the very best for the tough task ahead.

“Director Whippy said after going through a thorough and stringent process and analysing the capabilities of the interested applicants, the board made a decision to hand over the Flying Fijians coaching responsibility to Rawalui. Railwaui is expected to announce his set of assistant coaches and management soon.”

Whippy said: “Raiwalui is no stranger to Fiji Rugby as currently he has been doing great work being the general manager high performance. I believe Raiwalui being a coach and former Flying Fijian captain, it will be smooth sailing for him and the team – especially with the Rugby World Cup just around the corner.”