Jake White appointed Fiji head coach ahead of RWC 2027
Jake White has been named head coach of Fiji ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, after the Fiji Rugby Union chose him over Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards.
Jake White has been appointed head coach of Fiji ahead of RWC 2027 in Australia. He was South Africa's 2007 World Cup-winning coach.
Jake White named Fiji head coach
The Fiji Rugby Union announced the appointment on Tuesday 13 October 2026. White was chosen from a field that included Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards.
White replaces interim coach Senirusi Seruvakula, who had been in the role since April. His first Test in charge is against Japan on 24 October 2026, with further Nations Championship matches against France, Ireland and Italy in November.
White said: "It is an incredible honour to be given the opportunity to lead the Flying Fijians."
What White has said about the job
White said he hoped Fiji would arrive at a World Cup with their squad better drilled than any before, and play the Fiji way but with more shape.
Key facts
- Jake White was South Africa's 2007 World Cup-winning coach.
- He previously coached the Springboks from 2004 to 2007.
- Fiji were drawn in a pool with Spain, Canada and Argentina at the 2027 World Cup.
- White's first Test in charge is against Japan on 24 October 2026.
Fiji will also meet Spain, Canada and Argentina at the 2027 World Cup, where they were drawn in a pool.
Sources
- World Cup-winning coach to lead Fiji at 2027 tournament (Rugby Australia)
- World Cup-winning coach White takes reins at Fiji (RTÉ Sport)
- Former Springbok coach Jake White will lead ‘best-prepared’ Fiji to RWC 2027 (Daily Maverick)
- Fiji appoint Springboks World Cup winner Jake White as new coach (The Independent)