Senirusi Seruvakula. Photo: Facebook/Fiji Rugby
Former Fijiana Drua coach Senirusi Seruvakula is the acting head coach for the Flying Fijians rugby team.
This has been confirmed by Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) administrator Simione Valenitabua.
A FRU statement released in Suva on Friday says Seruvakula will act in the top job until January 2024.
The position has been vacated by Simon Raiwalui, who retired after the Rugby World Cup in France in October.
Seruvakula was an assistant coach to Raiwalui during the RWC campaign.
He had coached the Fiji Warriors to winning the 2016-2019 World Rugby Pacific Challenge Trophy, the 2017-2019 Australia's National Rugby Championship title with the Fijian Drua, was assistant coach of the Flying Fijians for test match against the Barbarians in 2019, coach of the Fijiana Drua at the Super W competition in Australia and winning the event.
Seruvakula has thanked the the FRU Trustees Board (FRUTB) for believing in him and said it will not be an easy job, especially after the recent record at the Rugby World Cup.
"The role isn't an easy one, especially after the Flying Fijians quarterfinal finish and win over tier-one nations such as England and Australia in the past few months," he said.
"With new players coming in the Fijian Drua and having some outstanding performance by the players during our local competitions, I will certainly draw up a depth chart and project the path towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia."
Valenitabua said Seruvakula has been a successful coach for Fiji, adding he deserves to be given the chance.
"We would like to congratulate Seruvakula, who has been evidently knocking at the door for a long time," he said.
"I and the FRU Board believe that he deserves the Flying Fijians coaching job after being with the feeder teams for multiple years."
Meanwhile, Raiwalui officially finished his contract with the FRU on Wednesday.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the former Flying Fijians mentor said he was "very thankful" for "what has been achieved over an interesting 4 years!"
"Fiji rugby will always hold a place dear to my heart," he added