Former Wales women head coach Ioan Cunningham has been appointed as the new head coach of the Vodafone Fijiana XV rugby team. This announcement comes from the Fiji Rugby Union after months in search of a replacement for Mosese Rauluni, who resigned following a challenging season.
Cunningham’s record includes a significant three-year tenure with the Welsh team, during which he led crucial transformations, including the professionalization of the team and its first-ever victory over Australia. Despite facing challenges in 2024, he expressed pride in the achievements made during his time, particularly in navigating the team towards greater competitiveness and performance.
Now, as he steps into his new role, Cunningham is set to guide the Fijiana XVs through their upcoming Rugby World Cup campaign. The tournament is scheduled to take place from August 22 to September 27 in England, where the Fijiana team will face competitors Canada, Scotland, and his former team, Wales, in Pool B.
Cunningham brings with him extensive experience from various coaching roles, including positions with the Wales Under-20 team and club teams like the Scarlets. His clear communication style and focus on performance delivery will be vital as he sets expectations and outlines a plan for the national women’s side.
This leadership change marks an important opportunity for the Fijiana XVs as they prepare for the World Cup, reigniting hopes of harnessing their potential and improving their international performance. With Cunningham at the helm, the team aims to build on their past successes and strive for a noteworthy showing on the world stage.
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