Raiwalui confirms Fiji departure after World Cup exit

Fiji boss Simon Raiwalui has confirmed he will step down at the end of the year after his side’s Rugby World Cup campaign ended with defeat to England on Sunday.

In his short time at the top, he oversaw Fiji’s famous first win over England, a resounding victory in the Pacific Nations Cup and a trip to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 16 years.

But Raiwalui confirmed that there will be a new person in charge during the next World Cup cycle, as Fiji look to build on one of the best years in their rugby history.

“I will not be seeking an extension of employment with FRU past 31 December,” Raiwalui tweeted.

“I guess it is time to make it official, specifically what the next cycle will look like for Fiji Rugby.

“Thanks again to the players, staff and all the supporters, it has been quite a ride!”

The 49-year-old took over as head coach in March this year having served as the general manager of high performance at Fiji Rugby Union since February 2020, in between which he was scrum coach for the Fijian Drua.

It was that long period of consistent work with multiple responsibilities for the majority of the last three and a half years that prompted Raiwalui’s decision, as he revealed in a reply on the same site.

“I have missed my wife & kids birthdays, our wedding anniversary, picking my daughter up from school, drinking a beer with my sons, walking the dog, etc, for the last 4 years,” he wrote. “They have shared enough, it’s time to go home!”

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