Tikoisuva appointed Flying Fijians RWC manager 11 April, 2011

Flying Fijians team manager Pio Tikoisuva.

Former Fiji High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Fiji rugby legend Pio Bosco Tikoisuva has been appointed Flying Fijians team manager for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Tikoisuva’s exploits on the field for Fiji have made him one of Fiji’s most well known players having first represented Fiji against Tonga on 24 August, 1968. Tikoisuva went on to play in a total of 19 Tests for Fiji the most memorable being the 1977 victory against the British Lions.

In recent times Tikoisuva has been prominent for the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) away from the playing field as the first locally appointed chief executive officer from 2002 to 2005.

In 2007 Tikoisuva was appointed as the team manager to the 2007 Rugby World Cup where Fiji reached the quarter-finals losing out to eventual winners South Africa.

“I have always had Fiji in my heart and I always will have,” Tikoisuva said.

Tikoisuva’s re-appointment as Flying Fijians team manager came about after recent discussions with the FRU during last November’s Europe Tour.

“I was initially asked in Wales last November and, whilst I was obviously excited to have the opportunity, I said I would decide on my return to Fiji and well now I’m back I can’t wait to get stuck in.” 

In announcing the appointment FRU CEO Keni Dakuidreketi believes it was important to have someone who had the experience and the manna Tikoisuva holds to lead the Flying Fijians into a World Cup.

“Pio’s experience and the respect he’s garnered from the 2007 Rugby World Cup will be huge for us in terms of guiding the players through what will be a very rigorous month and a half of rugby both on and off the field,” Dakuidreketi said.

Tikoisuva’s appointment takes effect immediately.