Loan Cunningham, who recently stepped down as the head coach of the Wales women’s rugby team, is set to become the new head coach of the Vodafone Fijiana XVs. Cunningham was seen at the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) headquarters on Monday, accompanied by Alana Thomas, the High-Performance Women’s manager. Sources within Rugby House confirmed that Cunningham was introduced to the staff in this new capacity.
Cunningham’s departure from his previous role followed a challenging year with the Welsh team, which recorded only four wins in 11 Tests in 2024. He resigned by mutual agreement after three years, during which he had notable achievements, including overseeing the transition of the Welsh women’s team from amateur to professional status. His efforts helped secure Wales’ first-ever win over Australia and a commendable finish in the Six Nations, where they claimed third place and reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
Despite the struggles leading to his departure, he expressed pride in the progress made by the team.
In addition to his role with the Fijiana XVs, Cunningham is anticipated to take over as head coach of the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua women’s team starting next year. He will guide the Fijiana XVs in preparation for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, scheduled for August 22 to September 27 in England, where they will face Canada, Scotland, and Wales in Pool B.
Cunningham brings a wealth of experience from his prior positions, including coaching the Wales Under-20 team and roles with various clubs, such as the Scarlets.
The addition of Cunningham as head coach marks a hopeful new chapter for the Fijiana XVs as they look to build a competitive squad ahead of the World Cup. Despite the challenges faced in recent performances, his leadership could play a pivotal role in harnessing the team’s potential and securing a strong showing on the international stage.
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