Mark Evans has been appointed as the new CEO of Super Rugby Pacific franchise Fijian Drua.
A spokesperson for Fijian Drua said he would take over from interim CEO Brian Thorburn, who has been caretaking the role since the Drua's inception and the granting of its licence in 2021.
Mark Evans when he was with Global Rapid Rugby Photo: Supplied
Evans has been in the industry for three decades with experience in sports leadership, administration, coaching, and education.
He is the former head of Saracens, Harlequins, Melbourne Storm and Global Rapid Rugby.
He said the chance to manage the Drua in the Super Rugby Pacific was too good to turn down.
"I have been a terrific advocate I hope, and friend, to rugby in the Pacific islands. I think that the Drua project is a wonderful opportunity to put something in place that has a legacy, that's stable, and that will have longevity. I am under no illusion to how important the sport is to the people of Fiji."
Drua hope to host six games in Fiji next year as they look to build on their debut season under coach Mick Byrne, but Evans warned fans not to have high expectations.
"In very, very difficult circumstances, I think they did a really top class job in the first year," Evans told media.
"But there's a lot of things in the second year that are different.
"Anybody who thinks that it will go onward and upward in a steep improvement curve has never played pro sport.
"That's just not how it works all the time. But I do think it's a great base … I do think there's still a lot of growth left on the field and off the field."
Evans will begin his tenure as Fijian Drua CEO on October 17 on a three-year contract.
Brian Thorburn returns to Fiji Rugby as its general manager commercial.
Fijian Drua had a tough debut season in Super Rugby being based almost exclusively in Australia but ended the campaign with two wins.