FRU chief executive, Timoci Tavanavanua and Daniel Lobendahn

The Fiji Rugby Union announced Friday the appointment of Dr Daniel Lobendahn Wood to replace Peter Murphy as High Performance Unit manager when he departs at the end of the year.
 
“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Wood as Murphy’s successor as manager of the HPU,” FRU chief executive Timoci Tavanavanua said. “Wood is no stranger to the Fiji rugby family having assisted with the FRU and the HPU in the past including developing fitness and selection standards for the Flying Fijians before their before their wonderful performance at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.”
 
Wood brings with him an extremely strong scientific background, recently working on elite anthropometry as well as the development of High Performance Fitness testing and related equipment. He has a strong understanding of the needs of modern elite rugby players and what is required by athletes at the top level and has an excellent working knowledge of rugby specific training equipment design, development, and acquisition and among other special skills and has an excellent understanding of international fitness standards and the physical requirements of international rugby players.
 
“As the demands for modern elite rugby players and proper development of rugby in the country increases, the FRU recognizes the importance of maintaining, implementing and improving robust rugby structure in the country,” Tavanavanua said. “Wood brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience to help the FRU improve the standard of play in Fiji. He brings to us the expertise necessary to insure that FRU’s performance remains reliable and consistent whilst ensuring the HPU works efficiently to successfully execute its roles and responsibilities.”
 
“We hope to provide him with all the support he needs to effectively carry out his role and continue to break new ground for the FRU in developing rugby in the country through the HPU. We welcome him into the Fiji Rugby family.
 
Prior to joining the FRU, Wood worked as aeronautical engineer, gaining his PhD from the University of Sydney in aerospace structures with an industrial scholarship from Boeing, USA. In 2006 Wood returned home to Fiji where he joined the University of the South Pacific as a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering. During His time at the USP, Wood has worked with high performance trainers to develop testing protocols, equipment, and selection criteria. He also coordinated the USP’s coaching course within the sports science programme.
  
 “As the new HPU manager I will endeavor to build on the work started by Peter Murphy,” Wood said. “I believe that the FRU HPU has the technical personnel and capacity to be one of the best High performance Units in the region. We must exhibit a spirit of excellence in all that we do to ensure that our elite athletes, coaches, referees, trainers and officials are supported in every aspect.”
 
“The High Performance Unit will continue to evolve to best fit the needs of Fiji. I look forward to the challenges ahead and serving the Fiji Rugby Union as best I can.”

Wood is appointed for a two-year term commencing on Monday 5 January 2009.