National men’s sevens coach Gareth Baber has stepped down from the Fijian men’s coaching role and will venture into his coaching career as a 15s mentor, announced today by Fiji Rugby Union.
“We totally respect the decision made by Gareth and thank him for his service to Fiji Rugby and to Fiji. We are all proud of Gareth achievement culminating in the gold medal defense at the Tokyo Olympics 2020,” FRU chief executive John O’Connor said.
O’Connor said national women’s coach Saiyasi Fuli would be guiding national 7s skipper Jerry Tuwai in preparing the team for the HSBC World Rugby 7s series which kicks off with the Dubai 7s tournament next month.
“While we are going through the process of advertising the position and going through the recruitment process, the Fijiana 7s Head Coach Saiasi Fuli will be overseeing the Fijian 7s program and will be supported by dual Olympic Gold Medal winner and Captain Jerry Tuwai as the Team prepare for the Dubai 7s which will be held from the 26th to the 27th of November,” O’Connor said.
“While Coach Fuli is committed to the Fijiana 7s program until the World Cup in South Africa, he has also agreed to assist in preparing the Fijian 7s Team and we are thankful and grateful to him for agreeing to take up the challenge of preparing the Fijian 7s Team with the support of Jerry Tuwai.”
He said coach Baber would be providing support to the Team and to Coach Fuli as the Team builds up to the Dubai 7s.
Coach Baber has thanked the FRU Board for the offer of a contract extension for the next three years and for allowing him the time and space to carefully consider his options prior to making a decision on his future.
The Dubai 7s men’s warm up tournament will be held from November 26-27 and a combined men’s and women’s tournaments on December 3-4.
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