A World Cup winner takes charge
Jake White has been named Fiji head coach for the 2027 Rugby World Cup cycle. The South African guided South Africa to the 2007 World Cup title in France, and Fiji Rugby Union Chairman John Sanday said at a Tuesday press conference alongside White that few coaches in world rugby can claim the experience of leading a nation to World Cup glory. White's first match in charge will be a test against Japan in Tokyo next week.[S1][S2]
White takes over from Senirusi Seruvakula, who had served as interim coach after Mick Byrne's departure in April. At 62, White has worked mainly at club level since leaving the Springboks after the 2007 triumph, with spells at the French club Montpellier and the Canberra-based ACT Brumbies. In his most recent role he spent five years at the Bulls, reaching three United Rugby Championship finals but losing all of them, and he left the Pretoria side after last year's final defeat by Leinster, saying the team needed a new voice.[S1]
Fiji's recent form and World Cup pool
Fiji are ranked 10th in the world and have been drawn in Pool C for the 2027 tournament alongside Argentina, Canada and Spain. At the last World Cup in France in 2023 they reached the quarter-finals, where they lost 30-24 to England. The 2026 season has been disappointing so far: Fiji lost the Pacific Nations Cup final to Japan last month after successive defeats by Wales, England and Scotland in the inaugural Nations Championship.[S1]
White said he will relocate to Fiji and spend time with the Super Rugby Pacific team Fijian Drua while watching local club competition to identify new talent. He described his aim as preparing the best group of players Fiji has ever sent to a World Cup. His immediate task is to rebuild confidence before the Japan test, and he noted that the Fijians have lacked a bit of confidence this year. Technically, he pointed to game management as one area to address, and said his theory is that Fiji should play like Fiji but with a little more structure and formation.[S1]
