Rugby Australia might be on the hunt for a new coach, but you can put a line through Simon Raiwalui.
The man who orchestrated Fiji’s historic 22-15 win over the Wallabies in Saint Etienne to help secure their place in the World Cup knockout stages confirmed he would take up a position with World Rugby as a general manager for their high-performance unit.
Raiwalui, who was Michael Cheika’s assistant at the 2019 World Cup, surprised many when he told followers via X, previously known as Twitter, that he was calling time on his association with Fiji on the eve of the World Cup final.
Simon Raiwalui will step away from coaching to become World Rugby’s general manager of high performance. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Raiwalui, who won many admirers with his respectful attitude, finished his contract with the governing body on November 23 and said “Fiji rugby will hold a special place dear to my heart”.
The respected rugby figure was shortlisted for World Rugby coach of the year. The award was taken out by Andy Farrell.
Raiwalui said he was looking forward to contributing to rugby’s development world wide.
“I am joining World Rugby as the manager high performance,” he said at the Fiji Prime Minister’s International Business Awards in Nadi over the weekend.
“It is something that I really invested in, the development and pathways of rugby, so I will be working worldwide. But like I have mentioned before hopefully one day I will be back in Fiji.
“Coaching the Flying Fijians is memorable. There are some interesting characters.
“The proudest moment for me was to see them grow every day. As a team, as individuals, we wanted them to express themselves, we didn’t want them to be limited.
“So, like I said from the start. Who are we? We are the Flying Fijians.
“Who we want to be? We want to represent Fiji and make every Fijian proud.”
Last week Fiji named Senirusi Seruvakula as their interim head coach until January.
Razor won’t rush to make call on new captain
New Zealand Rugby might have rushed to lock in Scott Robertson as Ian Foster’s successor, but Super Rugby’s most successful coach won’t act with the same speed to name his captain.
Just as Foster’s four-year tenure with the All Blacks was surrounded by questions over his credentials and worth, so too was the reign of captain Sam Cane.
Wearing the prized No.7 jersey, Cane faced challenges over not just his leadership ability but place in the side.
In the end, both were pivotal figures in the All Black’s run to the World Cup final.
Cane controversially became the first player to be sent off in a World Cup final in their 12-11 loss to the Springboks.
Whether the 31-year-old remains captain under Robertson remains to be seen.
Dame Patsy Reddy, All Blacks Coach Scott Robertson and NZR CEO Mark Robinson speak to the media during a New Zealand Rugby Press Conference at NZ Rugby House on March 21, 2023. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Robertson has never shied away from making the big call.
When he returned to the Crusaders set up, the first big decision he made was taking the captaincy off then-All Blacks captain Kieran Read and giving it to Sam Whitelock.
The decision proved a masterstroke, with the Crusaders snapping their near decade-long Super Rugby drought immediately in 2017.
After winning three straight Super Rugby titles under the new leadership of Robertson and Whitelock, the coach appointed Scott Barrett as skipper following the 2019 World Cup. More Super Rugby titles followed.
Their successful combination is one of the reasons many think Barrett could become the All Blacks’ next full-time captain, particularly with Cane to miss the 2024 Super Rugby season as he takes up an opportunity in the Japanese League One competition.
But speaking to Stuff, Robertson was keeping his options close to his chest as he spoke of the importance of gathering as much information as possible in the post-World Cup wash-up.
“I am trying to give a little bit of a runway post-World Cup before I start having conversations around captains,” Robertson told Stuff.
“I think it is important – around respect. I have talked to all the senior All Blacks, I have spent around an hour, or two, chatting around what they learned from the World Cup.
“I am starting to build an understanding, and what they think is really important is what they want to protect. But what do we need to evolve, on and off the field? They have had time to reflect, and they have been honest, which has been great.”
All Blacks captain Sam Cane walks past the The Webb Ellis Cup following the Rugby World Cup Final at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by David Ramos – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Robertson doesn’t have to make a decision anytime soon, with the All Blacks’ next Test against England in July.
The former All Blacks back-rower, who finished his time with the Crusaders on a high note as he became Super Rugby’s most successful coach, said he won’t fundamentally change despite becoming the latest to be given the honour of coaching the three-time world champions.
“Externally, I will be myself,” Robertson says. “On the inside I will be focused. You know how well you have prepared your team, but there is also that expectation … Then there will be a couple of deep breaths.”
He added: “Then you go straight into game-mode. How do you win this test match? There will be a lot of excitement, a lot of adrenaline. Some positive nervousness which prepares you to perform.”
The All Blacks will go through somewhat of a rebuilding period in 2024, with several household names either retiring or making themselves unavailable by heading offshore.
Richie Mo’unga, who was the driver of the Crusaders’ success at fly-half, is one who will be unavailable long-term after signing a three-year in Japan.
There were fears that Robertson would be without Beauden Barrett too, but the two-time World Rugby player of the year is likely to be available.
Robertson said the NZR would continue to talk to agents about finding ways for players to return to New Zealand, but added the door wasn’t shut and the form of those playing overseas would be judged on merit.
“Look, the guys who have played in Japan have come back and played good rugby. He’s hugely experienced, and it doesn’t matter where you are, you have to play well,” Robertson said.
“That’s what All Blacks do. That was the message to him. Play well, we will watch you from afar, we will give you feedback and keep connected.”
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
I am not sure if you believe that or are being sarcastic (always hard to tell online). Cooper came on for the last 15 minutes of the game in NZ. A much older player than the one he was replacing and yet he couldn't have an impact on the team. there should have been a massive step up when he came on the field to replace Gordon but their wasn't. He started the SA game and showed he had no kicking game. He played all 80 of the Argentina game and again failed to manage the game and play it in the right areas to see out the game, again goes back to his failure in using a kicking game.
Eldon
Roar Rookie
Cooper never failed in 2023.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
NZ have great depth = new players are test standard and hit the ground running.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Jacko, when did the NZ camp get together v when did the Argentine camp get together. How many changes between the Argentina game the the last time the ABs played which was against England. Following the game v OZ what players were not included in the WC squad. How many minutes did DMac get against T1 sides at the WC and how many at 10. Just like Coopers failure cost him a place at the WC NZ players also paid the price for poor performances. How did Oz lose to Fiji and Wales, they lost it upfront. As I have pointed out their was one debut person in the pack. Lualala started v France, TAUKEI’AHO on the bench, the locks are 2 of the 3 best locks you have and 2-3 backrowers are the starting ABs. When ABs do poor its excuses from you Jacko, maybe look at why they do bad in games which is what the AB management did and why they took certain players and left others behind.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
I understand experince, I also understand that wingers who get serious injuries in their legs rarely come back the same, and the more injuries the worse they get. Remember Milner-Skudder WC starter to MRL starter. One of the break out players in the 2015 WC, got 6 tries and started at 14 in every game of the WC except v Scotland. Gets his injury in early 2016 having started for the Canes. Plays a few games in 2016 in the RC and again having injuries in SR causing him to miss big chunks. By 2018 he plays one game v Japan. Wingers getting big injuries rarely see them kept esp in NZ when there are people just as good as him who are less likely to get injured. Which player would you have left behind to put Reece into your team. Would it have been Clarke. Look at how Reece’s international call ups went in 2022. 20/08 he plays 70mins in the NPC in the rest week of the RC, 7/9 he plays 80 mins in the NPC in the rest week of the RC. He plays 24/9 v OZ as a sub getting 13 minutes, week later he is back in the NPC. He then plays Japan and Wales, but not Scotland and England. Doesn’t strike me as a player who was in the running to be in the matchday 23 but as a player who was taken in a wider squad. With the emergency of LF. him making the WC squad was very unlikely considering Jordon, Telea and LF were all ahead of him and Clarke was considered better than him in 2022 and Clarke also covers more positions which you need in a WC squad. The NZ WC was Wings Telea, Clark LF, Narawa, FBs Jordon with BB, JB and DMAc also able to cover it and Jordan also being able to be used as a wing. Which one would you take out of the squad to put Reece in, also remember many felt that NZ took 1 to many back 3 players which is why they brought in a backrower when Narawa got injured.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
true. The issue I have is the same poster put players like Finau, Stevenson etc down as showing the strength of the AB system then says but they were on debut. Have one pley in the pack on Debut with all those experienced players around them should have been fine if test standard. For the backs a bit more green but Jordan was at 15 which everyone says is his best position and many said ALB was the stead missing when he was injured. LF came in and looked good when he played. Growing up NZ would come north and have players we had never heard of with 0-5 appearances and they would look better than any of our players. When England come in 2024 I doubt many will be saying its just new players in the team if the lose the series. Of the matchday 23 that played v OZ in their last home game the ones who turned the game around many are leaving for the SRP season so theses players are the ones that need to come together. If players aren't jettisoned back in after being in Japan you could be looking at half the 23 being different.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Of course the players want to earn big OS $$ but still be ABs. I say no way. Select from NZ and leave it alone/
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Ill disagree. Give him a go at 10. He is world class and deserves his spot. Would be a 70 test AB if he hadnt been injured and had a far better repour with BB than Mounga ever did.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
The 9, 10 did exceptional against Arg in game 1 of the RC and that was with the best pack available. You are 100% wrong about so many things why do you bother? If you cant even be bothered to comprehend the disserence between the top side and making 12 changes just because its a WC warm up after the Bledisloe and RC have been wrapped up then I cant help you
Spew_81
Roar Rookie
McKenzie never got a shot at 10, until recently, because McKenzie was initially seen a playmaking 15. He was envisioned to be part of a dual playmaking set up, with B Barrett at 10, all the way back under Hansen in 2018/19. Hansen was clearly gutted when McKenzie was injured for RWC 2019. McKenzie then decided that he wanted to focus at 10 and got a shot for the Chiefs in 2021. His play at 10 wasn't good for at least a season. McKenzie ran across the field a lot and didn't really lead the backline. But he made a lot of progress this year. If he makes the same progress again in 2014, he will be difficult to keep out the 10 jersey for the All Blacks. McKenzie went well in a winning Chiefs team in the regular season in 2023; but in the Super Rugby final he didn’t have the same impact. Similarly, he went well when the All Blacks comfortably beat Argentina this year; but wasn’t great in Dunedin, against the Wallabies, in a tighter test. I think his best position is an impact player when the game loosens up, but would be very happy if he plays well at 10.
El Flash
Roar Rookie
Robertson has been banging on about o/s players for awhile now. I realise it may be in his best interests however when the current AB captain (Cane) today also supports this move one has to wonder how many other top players feel the same.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yeah sure. The sky over the ALL Blacks is always falling according to a lot of non NZers. I well remember the end of the ABs after almost every WC. Hasnt happened yet. I 100% agree that a small group of teams has bridged the gap to NZ but with pro rugby that was always going to happen anyway. NZ is a strong rugby nation. Thats just the waqy it is and who gives a monky's butt what Mounga thinks. I remember Charles Piatau and many others all claiming that when they leave the floodgates will open. Mounga is no Dan Carter and not even a Cruden. Why change the rules to suit a mediocre 10 when you wouldnt for the best. There are plenty of Mounga's running around in NZ rugby. I personally want way better than his ability. Great SR player. To many mistakes under pressure at test level. Proven yet again in anothe WC loss this year.
Spew_81
Roar Rookie
The pack was pretty experienced. Though Williams and Finau were still pretty green. Taukei’aho was also lacking gametime. The back weren't very experienced. The Christie/McKenzie combination wasn't well-tested. As well as the Lienert-Brown/Ennor combination. Stevenson was in his first match. In saying all that the Wallabies played really well, especially initially. But they seemed like a team in year one of a RWC rebuild cycle. Not a team that was fine tuning for a RWC.
Dan James
Roar Rookie
Just stop it. Reece wrecked his knee in March. He hasn't played since. You bang on about "experience" but seem to discount this "experience" (RWC 2019) when it comes to Reece. He would have been in the RWC 2023 squad if fit.
Dan James
Roar Rookie
You need to cut out the word salad. It's impossible to decipher.
Dan James
Roar Rookie
You have an opinion on everything NZR but dont get it right. Indeed. It all becomes a bit childish and silly when every post is some illogical fantasy with a theme of NZ is bad.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Spew when has Dmac had any sort of opportunity? Nothing. Never fails but never got a shot. Many seem to forget it was Dmac who kept Mounga out of the test team until his grandmother died when he was in Arg. Then he got a major injury. He was by far the best 10 in SR last year so give him a chance before writing him off. Fosters biggest error was not giving Dmac a chance to show his wares.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yep the same Reece who has played 23 tests and scored 15 tries. Serious injury so not expecting his pace etc back instantly but he is class. Clarke is probably losing grip on a test spot but with Narewa, Stevenson, Talea, Jordan, there is plenty of talent.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I like those 3 names Spew. Ratima has a very fast and accurate pass. Roigard is such a different player to Ratima its another Smith/TJ combination and Hotham looks to be special.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Why would you expect a team to "flog" the best teams in the world? NZ is a strong rugby nation, but flogging the other 3 teams in the top 4 is a silly quest. They are in the top 4 because they are quality teams.