“Poor or Great News?:Waratahs Appoint Simon Raiwalui as Director of Performance to Give New Team Energy…Read more
Waratahs Appoint Simon Raiwalui as Director of Performance to Revitalize Team
NEWS: The Waratahs have announced the signing of former Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui as their new Director of Performance.
Following a disappointing season that saw them finish at the bottom of the Super Rugby table, head coach Darren Coleman stepped down from his role.
Raiwalui, who led Fiji to the 2023 World Cup quarterfinals and ended a 69-year losing streak against Australia, will play a crucial role in finding a new head coach and rejuvenating the team.
“Simon is highly respected in the international rugby community, and we’re excited to have him on board until at least the end of 2027,” said Waratahs CEO Paul Doorn. “He brings top-tier experience in coaching, player development, and high-performance sport, making him a valuable asset to our club.”
The Auckland-born lock had a successful playing career with Newport, Saracens, and Racing 92, and earned 43 caps for Fiji.
His coaching career began at Racing 92, focusing on the forwards, before moving on to roles with Stade Français and Biarritz. He made his Test coaching debut in 2018 under former Wallaby head coach Michael Cheika and became Fiji’s head coach in 2023, leading them to the World Cup quarterfinals.
Raiwalui is enthusiastic about his new challenge and confident that the Waratahs will show significant improvement in 2025.
“Waratahs fans are among the most passionate in Super Rugby Pacific. While the 2024 season was disappointing, I’m confident you’ll see a much better performance next year,” he said. “I’m excited to get started.”
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