Josaia Rabele Dakuitoga admits he was shocked to be appointed head coach of the Fiji Bati rugby league team for a second time.
The 55 year old previously coached the Bati to the World Cup semi finals in 2008 and was an assistant coach when they reached the same stage in 2013 and 2017.
Josaia Rabele Dakuitoga is the new Fiji Bati head coach. Photo: Fiji National Rugby League
He's spent the past two years focused on local development and was stunned when Fiji NRL Chairman Viliame Naupoto informed him he would be leading the Bati at next year's World Cup in England.
"Last week on Thursday the Chairman called me in his office and he just told me that the Board made a decision to appoint me as the new head coach for the Fiji Bati and the announcement was made on Monday," he said.
"First I was shocked because for the last two years my focus was on grassroots development here in Fiji and to be given another chance to lead the Fiji Bati is a great honour for me and my family."
Australia have beaten Fiji in three consecutive World Cup semi finals. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Dakuitoga replaces Brandon Costin, who resigned last week after returning to Australia for family reasons.
During his 18 months in charge, the former USA international led the Bati to victories over Samoa and Papua New Guinea and also coached the Kaiviti Silktails to their maiden win the Ron Massey Cup.
Brandon Costin coached Fiji to wins over Samoa and PNG. Photo: Photosport
Dakuitoga said Costin also made a huge impact locally in Fiji, developing coaches, match officials and changing the structure of the Vodafone Cup domestic competition.
"I want to acknowledge Brandon Costin for his recommendation to the Board for me to take up the job and I want to thank him for all the things he's done here in Fiji," he said.
"The standard that he changed to lift the Fiji Bati standard for the last few games that he coached we managed to qualify in the tier one [Oceania Cup] competition. It was supposed to happen this year but Covid-19 stopped everything. My job now is to continue where he left off."
Fiji will face world champions Australia, Italy and Scotland in pool play at next year's World Cup and Dakuitoga can't wait to get started.
"I'm excited brother," he said.
"I'm very excited to watch every week to see the Fijian players in the NRL, especially [Viliame] Kikau and Apisai Korisau. They've been playing tremendously well every week...Maika Sivo, Mikaele Ravalawa and there's a new coming Fiji Bati star for Canberra Raiders, Semi Valemei, so these are some of the players that we are eying to be part of this team in the World Cup."
Maika Sivo scores another try for the Parramatta Eels. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Kaiviti Silktails head coach Wes Naiqama and Canterbury Bulldogs Under 18 coach Joe Saukuru have been appointed assistant coaches with the national team, with Siktails Acting CEO Steve Driscoll coming on board as Strength and Conditioning coach.
Josaia Dakuitoga is helping Naiqama to train 90 local players vying for a spot in the Siktails squad for next seasons and said he hopes to be able to select four or five in the Bati squad.