The Fiji Rugby Union has pushed back on recent French media reports linking former Top 14 coach Franck Azéma to the vacant head coach role of the FIJI Water Flying Fijians, saying the suggestions are speculative while reaffirming the interim appointment of Senirusi Seruvakula.
French sports weekly Midi Olympique has named Azéma — who formerly coached USA Perpignan and has spells at RC Toulon and ASM Clermont Auvergne on his CV — as a likely candidate to succeed Mick Byrne. Azéma has previously worked with a string of Fijian players during his time in France, including Napolioni Nalaga, Peceli Yato, Noa Nakaitaci, Alivereti Raka and others, and reportedly expressed interest in the Fiji head coach role back in 2019 but was not appointed.
“Well, that’s all speculation,” Fiji Rugby Union chairman John Sanday told Times Sport, as he sought to temper the growing media chatter. Sanday reiterated that Seruvakula — announced as interim head coach in a virtual media briefing in Nadi last Wednesday — remains in charge and will lead the Flying Fijians into the Nations Championship in July. He added that Seruvakula’s performance during that campaign, when Fiji’s designated home fixtures will be staged in the United Kingdom, will form the basis for an evaluation of whether he should be confirmed permanently. “I cannot be as more clearer than that,” Sanday said.
Byrne’s departure was confirmed by Rugby House as having come “following discussions about the future direction of the Flying Fijians program,” leaving the FRU to consider both local and expatriate options for the baton. The Midi Olympique reports first surfaced late last year and were repeated as recently as last month, rekindling speculation that the union might look overseas for an experienced Top 14 coach to shape Fiji’s international plans.
Azéma’s supporters point to his high-level European coaching experience and prior work with Fijian players as reasons he would be a natural fit. Critics of a foreign appointment, however, say the job should be given to a proven local candidate — a view underscored by the Suva Rugby Union’s public backing of Seruvakula’s bid to be appointed permanently rather than being treated as an “eligible local” who could be passed over in favour of an expatriate coach.
As the story develops, the FRU appears to be positioning the July Nations Championship as the practical test for any long-term appointment, giving Seruvakula a defined window to prove his credentials on the field. For now, Azéma’s name remains media conjecture rather than an FRU-backed candidacy, and the union has not announced any formal search or shortlist beyond the interim arrangement.
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