Ex-Hurricanes Poua coach Fusi Feaunati appointed Head of Women's Rugby in Fiji

Fusi Feaunati, the former Hurricanes Poua head coach, has been appointed Head of Women’s Rugby by the Fiji Rugby Football Union (FRFU), taking on a role designed to unify the country’s women’s game from community level through to elite international competition.

Feaunati’s mandate centres on bridging the gap between Fiji’s rapidly expanding domestic competitions and the high-performance demands of the Fijiana Sevens and Fijiana XVs. Women’s rugby in Fiji currently spans 12 teams in the Subrails Marama competition and 16 teams in the Royal Tea Ranadi tournament, reflecting significant growth in participation across the islands.

“What excites me most about this opportunity is the ability to help shape a connected women’s rugby pathway across Fiji, from community and youth rugby through to elite international performance,” Feaunati said. “Fiji possesses extraordinary talent, passion, athleticism and cultural strength. With aligned systems, athlete support, coach development and performance planning, I believe FRFU can continue to establish itself as a genuine world leader in women’s rugby.”

Feaunati brings a broad coaching background across multiple levels of the women’s game. He served as head coach of the Hurricanes Poua in Super Rugby Aupiki in 2025, having previously been an assistant with the same franchise. His earlier roles include women and girls lead at Wellington Rugby Football Union, coaching positions with Wellington Pride in the Farah Palmer Cup, Black Ferns Wellington hub manager with New Zealand Rugby, and development work with Manawatu Rugby Union.

FRFU General Manager High Performance Naca Cawanibuka framed the appointment as a structural necessity rather than a short-term fix. “Women’s rugby in Fiji has grown tremendously, and we acknowledge the contributions of players, coaches, schools, provincial unions, families and communities within our rugby ecosystem. But growth also brings responsibility,” Cawanibuka said.

“This appointment is not simply about one national team or preparing for the next tournament. It is about connecting the entire women’s rugby pathway, from the young girl playing rugby at school through provincial competitions and development programmes to Fijiana 7s and the Vodafone Fijiana XV.”

In his new role, Feaunati will work alongside high-performance academy staff, provincial and school coaches, and community coaching programmes to establish what the FRFU describes as a sustainable, distinctly Fijian high-performance environment.