Iliesa Tanivula loses his position as Digicel Fiji 7s coach.

Iliesa Tanivula has been relieved from his post of Digicel Fiji 7s coach effective from today. The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) Games Committee met with Tanivula this morning and conveyed to him the decision of the FRU Board to relieve him from the position.

The Board has endorsed Digicel Fiji 7s assistant coach, Josateki Savou as Tanivula’s replacement to the last two legs of the HSBC World Sevens Series in London and Scotland only. Tanivula has however been retained by the FRU to the post of technical assistant for the FRU’s High Performance Unit (HPU) in the 15’s code. 

The selection of a new coach for the 2011-12 Series will be made by the incoming Board of Directors, who will take office after the FRU Annual General Meeting to be held on 30 April, 2011.

FRU Chairman, Rafaele Kasibulu conveyed the Board’s appreciation to Tanivula for the work he had done in his tenure as the Digicel Fiji 7s coach. Appointed in 2009 Tanivula guided the Digicel Fiji 7s team to the 2009 Hong Kong 7s title, the 2009 Scotland title as well as last year’s Wellington 7s title.

Meanwhile the FRU has identified a group of potential sevens coaches who’s teams have been performing consistently well in local competitions held over the 2010-11 sevens season. These coaches will be given the opportunity to apply for the vacant national post once they have received training provided by the HPU and Development Unit on various programmes available at Rugby House.

A squad will be announced next week for training in preparation of the last leg of the HSBC World Sevens Series in London and Scotland.