Suva Rugby Union has reshaped its coaching line-up ahead of the provincial season, naming Vueti Tupou as head coach of the senior men’s side for this year’s Skipper Cup while unveiling a broader panel to drive player development across age groups and the women’s program.
Chairman Maritino Nemani described the appointments as part of the union’s push to lift Suva back onto the provincial stage. “We trust our coaching staff to mould the next generation of Suva players during the off-season and pre-season for their clubs and consistently performing every week,” Nemani said, adding: “Wearing the blue jersey is a privilege, elevating our players to the big stage is our duty.” The changes were announced recently and are positioned as a coordinated effort to prepare squads for the coming Skipper Cup and Marama Cup campaigns.
Tupou will lead the senior men’s Skipper Cup campaign supported by two experienced technical coaches. Former international Seremaia Bai has been appointed technical advisor to the senior program, while Seremaia Waqanisau will serve as technical coach focusing on scrums. Tupou’s on-field staff will include assistants Bera and Sailada, who will work with him to shape selections and match preparation as Suva seeks a stronger showing in the provincial competition.
The union also confirmed the coaching and management structure for its under-20 side, naming Koroi Matadigo, Jonetani Ratutokarua and Naca Seniu to “key roles” within that panel. The trio — described by the union as seasoned figures within the Suva rugby scene — will be tasked with strengthening the pathway from school and club rugby into Suva’s representative teams, with an emphasis on off-season development and consistent performance through the pre-season.
On the women’s front, Meli Tuifagalele, Tavaita Rowati and Mere Moto have been handed principal coaching roles as Suva prepares to contest the Marama Cup. The appointments come amid a wider push across Fiji to expand and professionalise women’s 15s, aligning local unions’ efforts with national initiatives to increase competitive fixtures and development opportunities for female players.
Bringing high-performance experience into the union’s leadership, Saiasi Fuli has been named director of coaching for the Suva Rugby Union. Fuli’s recent profile as coach of Fiji’s women’s sevens program — including responsibilities tied to Olympic preparations — was cited by union officials as a key factor in his selection, with the union expecting his expertise to elevate coaching standards across age groups and codes.
The full panel announced by the union includes Vueti Tupou, Seremaia Bai, Seremaia Waqanisau, Bera, Sailada, Koroi Matadigo, Jonetani Ratutokarua, Naca Seniu, Meli Tuifagalele, Tavaita Rowati, Mere Moto and Saiasi Fuli. Nemani said the appointments place Suva in a strong position “to take their teams higher into provincial rugby competitions this year,” signalling a concerted effort to translate the off-season coaching work into improved results once the provincial season begins.
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