Former Fijiana XV Head Coach Ioan Cunningham declined an extension of his contract primarily due to family commitments that require him to be based in Wales.
This has been clarified to fijivillage Sports by Fiji Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer Koli Sewabu, who confirmed that Cunningham’s decision will not disrupt preparations for upcoming international competitions.
Sewabu says the women’s high-performance programme remains firmly on track, with clear plans, systems and performance goals already in place.
He says the team remain fully focused, preparations are ongoing, and are confident the Fijiana XV will continue to progress and perform at the highest level.
Cunningham is now the Assistant Coach of the Scotland Women’s 15s team.
Sewabu adds that the Fijiana XV Head Coach position is currently vacant and has been advertised.
He says both local and international candidates will be considered, with the primary focus on an individual’s ability to deliver sustainable, long-term success rather than nationality.
Sewabu also emphasised that FRU will place strong emphasis on proven high-performance experience, particularly at elite or international level, and a demonstrated track record of building competitive programmes over time rather than short-term results.
In addition, Sewabu says candidates who show a clear commitment to developing local capacity will be prioritised.
He says this includes the ability and willingness to implement structured understudy, mentoring, and knowledge-transfer programmes to empower local coaches, technical staff, and administrators, while strengthening the overall rugby ecosystem in Fiji.
While an exact appointment date has not yet been confirmed, Sewabu says the recruitment process is actively underway and aligns with FRU’s broader high-performance strategy.
He says further clarity is expected in the coming weeks, with FRU committed to keeping players, stakeholders, and the public informed as key milestones are reached.
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