‘You make some phone calls’: Fijian Drua coaching post not advertised

The Fijian Drua head coach position to replace the outgoing mentor Mick Bryne was not advertised, the franchise’s chief executive says.

On Monday, the Drua announced former Chiefs flyhalf and international referee Glen Jackson as head coach – who has been involved with the Drua coaching staff for the past three years.

He will be taking over Bryne, who has been appointed as the head coach of the Flying Fijians and starts his term in June.

Jackson has signed a three-year contract beginning from 2025.

Drua chief executive Mark Evans told RNZ Pacific on Wednesday that advertising positions is not an efficient way to find coaches.

He said the franchise’s coaching role was selected internally.

He said he does not believe in advertising the position but rather inclined towards searching for capable people.

“The post was not advertised. This is my fifth head coach that I have appointed or helped appoint in various rugby organisations and I don’t think I have ever advertised.

“I don’t think advertising is particularly an efficient way of doing it. You tend to search, I suppose, is a better way to describe what we do.

“You look at what you are after, you make some phone calls, you ring a few people up, you do your due diligence, you create your shortlist and you move on from there.”

Evans said Jackson was the best from the list of coaches they had considered and continuity, plus his understanding of the Fijian culture worked for him.

“There were others considered but that is confidential, and I wouldn’t want to make that public. That will be inappropriate,” he said.

“And to be honest we were also looking for some continuity amongst the coaching panel.

“The fact he had a fair bit of experience in the Fijian culture, the Fijian rugby scene and the Fijian players which was certainly an advantage when it came to his appointment.”

Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry was independent advisor on the selection, and the Drua Board, which included the Fiji government and Fiji Rugby Union representatives, also supported the selection.

Evans said Jackson has already made a tremendous contribution to the Drua since its inception in 2022.

‘Breeding ground for expat coaches’ – union

Suva Rugby Union secretary said Fiji rugby has “become a breeding ground for expat coaches”, arguing that local coaches are being overlooked.

Nemani Tuifagalele said it is time all Fiji unions combine “to stop the mistreatment of local coaches” who have done the work and deserve to be given opportunities at the highest level.

His comments come after Jackson’s appointment.

Tuifagalele said what the FRU and Drua have done is “shameful” as they “kept on dumping our locals in the trash bin”.

Former Drua coach Senirusi Seruvakula and former Flying Fijians coach Inoke Male are two of the highest ranked local coaches.

Both have had stints with the different Fijian national teams in the men’s and women’s teams.

Seruvakula was also the first Fijian coach for the Drua, when they initially played in the Australian domestic National Rugby Championships in 2017 to 2019.

He had also coached the Fijian Drua, the Fiji Warriors and had been assistant coach for the Flying Fijians in the last two Rugby World Cups at least.

Male had also served as Flying Fijians, Fijiana Drua and Fiji Warriors coach in the past.