The new Flying Fijians head coach Jake White’s focus is to get the players ready to be in the best shape possible for the 2027 Rugby World Cup (RWC) in Australia.
White, a Rugby World Cup-winning coach with the Springboks, was unveiled by the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) as the Fiji men’s XV team’s new mentor in Suva on Tuesday.
The master tactician said that to achieve Fiji’s RWC ambitions, he and his team would work through three phases, and that begins now, as the Fijians head into their Test against Japan on 24 October.
“When you’re a Test coach, you want to win every time you play,” he said.
“I think what’s important, because you all understand, we need to get the best team to to Australia next year.
“We need to find out who’s eligible, who’s available, who’s injury-free. It’s going to be a bit of management going forward and we are going to make sure they’re ready for next year’s World Cup.”
Fiji’s flanker Lekima Tagitagivalu (C) and teammates huddle after conceding a sixth try during the Rugby Union Nations Championship match between Fiji and England at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool on 11 July 2026.
AFP / Oli Scarff
He said his immediate focus is to stabilise the Flying Fijians team now.
“Next year is about building depth and, obviously, the last block is to peak before the World Cup.”
White replaces interim coach Senirusi Seruvakula, who was acting in the position after former head coach Mick Byrne was relieved of his duty by Fiji Rugby in April.
White walks into the Flying Fijians side that had suffered four losses out of five Test matches this year.
White will also need to relocate to Fiji and he wants to spend time with the Drua and integrate with the villagers.
“Watch some club rugby, see if we can identify some young talent. Work with under-18 and -20 coaches to see if we can create a bit of a pathway, and make sure that the young Fijian boys are looked after”.
‘One collective strength
He said he wants to make sure that Fiji’s preparation was spot on.
“So, by the time we leave for Australia, we’ve basically got a very fit, healthy, conditioned, very skillful team. I’d like to say that we want to try and work to get the best prepared group of players ever to go to a World Cup.
“That’ll be our challenge, and that’s why you know ‘solesolevaki’ is the team’s theme.”
White announced in his speech after his appointment that the theme solesolevaki or working together, is going to be the driving force for the Flying Fijians under his tenure as head coach.
“Solesolavaki means individuals committing to one another, putting the team first, and working towards a shared purpose. It’s the belief that many hands can create one collective strength, one purpose, one collective strength.
“Solesolavaki reminds us that we do not come together because we are all the same. We come together because our different strengths make us stronger as one. It’s about taking responsibility for one another, supporting one another, and achieving something greater than ourselves.
“This is a wonderful opportunity, and I’m again deeply grateful for the honour. Together we will work, believe, and rise. The great ascent starts now.”
He said the appointment was an emotional one for him as he likened Fiji to South Africa, especially with the emotions that the people of the two countries attach to the game of rugby.
“Obviously, it sounded like it was emotional because it’s such a great rugby nation,” he said.
“It reminds me a bit of South Africa, you know, they live, sleep, eat rugby.
“In fact, when I was coming into Fiji, one guy said to me in Fiji rugby is more serious than religion. It made me realise just the enormity of what’s coming.”
Fiji Rugby Union John Sanday, right, with new Flying Fijians head coach Jake White.
Fiji Rugby
Significant
FRU Board chairman and a former Flying Fijian, John Sanday, said White’s appointment was significant for Fiji rugby.
He said, that, in appointing the 62-year-old, the FRU was making a statement of intent “about where we want to take Fiji Rugby, the standards we are prepared to set, and the future we are determined to build”.
Sanday said White brings a lot of experience, especially in also leading South Africa to World Cup glory. He said the FRU is confident White will be able to work with the abudance of Fijian talent across the globe in building a winning culture now needed to take the Flying Fijians forward as a Tier 1 nation.
“Jake brings with him something that very few coaches in World Rugby can claim, the experience of leading a nation to Rugby World Cup glory,” he said.
“Our players have inspired audiences across the continent with their natural flair, their courage, their resilience, and their unmistakable Fijian spirit.
“We have never lacked talent, we have never lacked passion, and we have certainly never lacked the courage to take on the world’s best.
“What we must now build is the consistency, the discipline, leadership, and high-performance environment that will allow our extraordinary talent to reach its full potential. That is the responsibility of Fiji Rugby’s leadership.
“That is why today’s appointment matters. We are bringing proven international experience, a championship mindset, and an understanding of what it takes to prepare a team to compete at the highest level.
He added that FRU believes White’s leadership, combined with unique strengths of Fijian rugby, can help us take an important step forward.”
The Flying Fijians will march into camp this week to prepare for next week’s Test against Japan, before they head off to the second round of the Nations Championship in Europe next month.
Fiji will meet France, Ireland and Italy in Europe.
White will also have the chance to coach the Flying Fijians against his former national side, reigning world champions the Springboks, in Australia next September in a warm-up match before the 2027 RWC kicks off.
