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Willie Walker Appointed Fijiana XV Head Coach

Fiji Rugby has hired the three‑time Super Rugby Aupiki winner to strengthen coaching pathways and build a long‑term women's high‑performance programme before Tests in early August.

Overview

  • Fiji Rugby announced at a news conference in Suva on Tuesday that Willie Walker will be the new head coach of the Fijiana XV.
  • Walker left the Blues after six seasons following three straight Super Rugby Aupiki titles and a recent Women’s Super Rugby Champions final win.
  • The Fijiana will play a two‑Test series against South Africa on 8 August in Suva and 15 August in Lautoka while interim coach Mike Legge continues short‑term match duties.
  • Fiji Rugby said Walker’s remit is to strengthen coaching pathways, create robust systems and build depth across women’s levels to lift long‑term performance.
  • Walker brings prior international exposure with the Black Ferns XV in 2025 and the 2025 ASB National Women’s Coach of the Year award, but faces a compressed timetable and the task of transitioning quickly from provincial to national coaching.