Flying Fijians interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula may have coached his last match in the role following Fiji’s 20-15 loss to Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) final in Japan on Saturday.
Seruvakula is expected to find out his fate soon, with Fiji Rugby (FRU) having advertised the head coach’s position last month. The expression of interest process closes this week.
FRU Board chairman John Sanday said Seruvakula was given the opportunity to show his worth and the FRU would review his and the team’s performance as per the system in place.
He said they expect to make the announcement about the Flying Fijians coaching team soon, as the team has the second round of the Nations Championship to prepare for in November, when Fiji play France, Ireland and Italy .
Seruvakula was free to also apply for the position, Sanday said, along with new Fijian Drua head coach Brad Mooar.
Flying Fijians interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula
Facebook / Fiji Rugby
Sanday said the Flying Fijians were the organisation’s flagship business asset and the new coach would be expected to deliver wins and consistency while helping elevate the Fiji Rugby brand globally.
“The Board has set clear goals and expectations of the performance standards required,” Sanday said.
“A strong work ethic centred around accountability plus return on investment are the key performance metrics we will be pushing. We want a winning culture, simple as that.”
Japan scored a late try in the last quarter of the game to claim their first PNC title in three years, after Fiji had dominated the meet in 2024 and 2025m, when Japan, Canada and the United States of America were added to the competition besides Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
Fiji were ranked ninth heading into the game, against Japan on 12th.
The PNC final loss means Seruvakula, who was handed the reigns on interim mode in April, has lost four out of five matches he has coached Fiji in.
It includes the Nations Championship matches against England, Wales and Scotland, with the lone win coming against Canada in the PNC semi-finals the previous weekend.
On Saturday night at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo the Flying Fijians touched down through Virimi Vakatawa and Tevita Ikanivere in the first half but the Brave Blossoms showed remarkable spirit to take out a famous win.
After Mamoru Harada scored during the first half, Player of the Match Ben Gunter and replacement Samisoni Tua touched down after the break to seal victory in front of an ecstatic home crowd on the 11th anniversary of their historic victory over South Africa at Rugby World Cup 2015.
In the third place play-off, Canada beat USA 19-16 in a curtain-raiser to the title decider as Jesse Kilgour’s maiden international try handed Stephen Meehan’s side victory.
Fiji were guilty of giving away a number of penalties at critical times during the game, with at least 10 before the end of the game.
That cost them possession and momentum.
With the scores tied at 15-15, replacement Samisoni Tua claimed a match-winning try for Japan in the 72nd minute.
Player of the Match and try-scorer Ben Gunter said it was a well-earned win.
“It’s a great feeling because we’ve been chasing this for the last three years,” he said post-match.
“In our DNA, we have a great attack so if I can just help out in defence then that’s all my focus was.”
Victorious captain Naoto Saito declared the win would trigger their 2027 Rugby World Cup campaign.
“We’d been in the final in the last two years against the same opponent but hadn’t been able to win,” he said after the game.
“I’m glad that we won today. This is going to be the trigger for us to break through and create new history for Japan.”
Fiji captain Tevita Ikanivere could not hide his disappointment but paid tribute to the Brave Blossoms.
“First of all, congratulations to Japan,” he said.
“Hats off to them because it’s an 80-minute game and that was a very physical battle. We’ll be better for it next time.”
Japan’s head coach Eddie Jones, who suffered a humiliating loss to the Fijians as coach of the Wallabies at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, said they take the win and keep eyeing improvement going forward.
“To win at home, in front of this crowd, is great for the team’s development – but we want to keep improving.”
Former Flying Fijians head coach Glen Jackson was beside Jones as an assistant during the PNC series, and watched the Japanese humble Fiji on Saturday night.
The Flying Fijians and Japan will both be in action at the upcoming Nations Championship second round.
Springboks test confirmed
Meanwhile, the Flying Fijians will face four-time world champions South Africa in a Test on Australia’s Central Coast on 18 September 2027.
The FRU said the fixture represents an important opportunity to test its World Cup preparations against one of international rugby’s most successful teams.
Chief executive officer Sewabu said the Test would provide the Flying Fijians with valuable high-performance preparation.
“Fiji Rugby is delighted to confirm this historic Test Match against the Springboks, one of the most respected and successful teams in world rugby,” Sewabu said.
“The Springboks have set the benchmark in world rugby, and our players relish every opportunity to test themselves against the very best.
“This fixture is about more than a rugby match. It is about inspiring our people, engaging our global Fijian community and continuing to showcase the unique style, spirit and talent that Fiji brings to the world game.”
Springboks Head Coach Rassie Erasmus said South Africa was looking forward to facing Fiji as part of its preparations for the World Cup.
Erasmus said Fiji had demonstrated its ability to challenge leading international teams, particularly during its run to the quarter-finals of the 2023 tournament.
“Fiji are a quality team who have consistently tested some of the top teams in the world over the last few years,” Erasmus said.
“They proved that they can be a force to be reckoned with by advancing to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, so it’s certainly going to be a great test for our team before the international spectacle in Australia.”
He described the Flying Fijians as a physical and talented side that would be looking to make full use of the encounter before the World Cup.
Valentina Lucia Perez Marquez of Spain dives in to score her team’s third try during the Hong Kong WXV Global Series match between Spain and Fiji at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground on 13 September 2026 in Hong Kong, China.
Yu Chun Christopher Wong / World Rugby via Getty Images
Fijiana get second win
In women’s rugby, the Fijiana side recorded their second win at the WXV Global Series Challenger in Hong Kong on Saturday.
The team defeated Hong Kong China 54-26 with six first-half tries scored, four of them in an 11-minute spell just before the break.
Adi Salote Nailolo got the scoreboard moving in the eighth minute after Fijiana dominated the opening few minutes, before Varanisese Qoro, who dotted down for two, Atelaite Buna Ralivanawa, who also got two and Merewairita Neivosa scored their tries.
But bad news continued for Samoa’s Mansusina Samoa as they suffered another big loss, this time to Spain.
Spain won 61-21 and had led 33-0 at halftime.
Manusina managed to get three tries in the second spell, a big improvement from their first round loss to the Netherlands, where they did not score a single point.
After a strong sequence when play resumed in the second half, Brumbies second-row Easter Savelio crossed to score her side’s first try of the 2026 Global Series Challenger, before scoring a double in the 52nd minute.
Then it was Drenna Falaniko who side-stepped a handful of tacklers before grounding the ball, for their third try.
Samoa’s three tries and determined defensive play should inspire them to show they have what it takes when they face Hong Kong China on the third and final weekend.
