Three coaches from Fiji spent the week in Sydney and Newcastle, getting a behind-the-scenes look at Australian rugby and learning practical ways to help develop players and coaches in their own communities.
Supported by the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports, the Impact Beyond Pasifika program brought the coaches together with Australian and World Rugby counterparts to share knowledge, observe coaching practices and build connections across the region.
Their week began at Rugby Australia headquarters in Sydney, with sessions covering high-performance systems and national team pathways. Participants then joined Australian Rugby Shield teams in Newcastle for the duration of the annual tournament.
“Rugby Union is the game of the Pacific and continues to unite Australia with our Pacific Island neighbours. Bringing our Australian and Pacific coaches together to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and strengthen our game was a special opportunity for all involved and we thank our Fijian colleagues for making the trip to Sydney, “said Rugby Australia’s General Manager, Government and Pacific Relations, Daniel Millis.
“With Australia hosting the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027 and Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2029, we are partnering with the national unions of the Pacific to help build a tournament legacy across our region. The knowledge and relationships developed through this experience will benefit Australian and Pacific rugby communities well beyond the tournaments.”
In Newcastle, each coach was embedded with a team competing in the Australian Rugby Shield to gain first-hand insights into how Australian coaches and players work together. The placements offered exposure to the wider team setup, including games, recovery and team meetings.
Alena Lawai, Head Coach of the Lautoka Marama Cup women’s team and coach of the Lautoka Under-18 girls’ team, said the experience had provided practical ideas to take home.
“I was really excited to be selected for this Impact Beyond Pasifika program, and I have been so impressed with everything I have seen and heard, from the Welcome to Country to meeting and learning from Rugby Australia’s leaders about player and coach development,” Lawai said.
“Being immersed with the team, I am learning so much. Seeing how well organised the coaches are, how they keep things simple and how much decision-making they give to the players is something I really want to take back and introduce in my own coaching.”
Leone Savai, Assistant Coach of the Fiji Under-18 national team, was embedded with Queensland Subbies during the Australian Rugby Shield tournament and said being invited to contribute to coaching had added to his learning.
“I have been fully involved with the team and was even asked to help coach, which was a bit of a surprise,” Savai said.
“I am impressed with the coaches. They are really good and well organised, but they also give the players a lot of responsibility. The players take more responsibility than I am used to seeing at home.”
Kali Ratuvuki, a Lautoka-based First XV coach who also coaches the West Fiji Under-18 team, highlighted the emphasis on relationships and player leadership.
“I am so impressed with how the coaches work on building connections between players on and off the field,” Ratuvuki said.
“The leaders in the team do most of the talking. This is different from back home, where a lot of our coaching is coach-led. I am loving the experience.”
Daily debriefs with World Rugby IBP facilitators gave the three coaches the opportunity to discuss their observations, understand the reasoning behind different coaching approaches and explore how to apply these lessons back home.
“The coaches from Fiji have coaching backgrounds in secondary school, representative and national under-18 rugby, so a key focus was helping them reflect on how they could apply their learning to support the young players they coach,” said World Rugby IBP facilitator Evan Crawford.
“Finishing the week with an Australian school visit brought that learning into a setting closely connected to their own experience. It gave them an opportunity to draw together what they had observed and discussed throughout the program and consider practical ideas they could adapt for their players and teams.”
