Former Scotland Rugby Head Coach Vernon Cotter has been named as the new Fiji Airways Flying Fijians Head Coach.
The 58-year-old will take over from John McKee who led the side in last year’s Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand born Cotter was the forward's coach for the Crusaders side which won the Super Rugby title in 2005 and the Scotland Head Coach from 2014 to 2017.
He also led Clermont to its first Top 14 title in the 2009/2010 season.
Cotter has previously coached Fijian players such as Nemani Nadolo, Nemani Nagusa, Napolioni Nalaga and Sitiveni Sivivatu.
Fiji Rugby Union Chairman, Francis Kean says Cotter is expected to arrive in Fiji just in time for the Flying Fijians first test scheduled against Tonga on the 4th of July this year.
Kean says Cotter is expected to ignite a step up in performance for the Flying Fijians as they progress towards the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
He says it is no secret that everyone is disappointed after last year’s World Cup and with the new appointment they hope to see Fiji produce the success they are capable of producing.
Kean says Cotter will also focus on coach development and succession planning through upskilling local provincial coaches such as Senirusi Seruvakula, Koli Sewabu, Kele Leawere, Inoke Male and Ifereimi Rawaqa to prepare them as potential successors for the Flying Fijians coaching position.
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