Fijians secure Aussie expertise
Mon, 05 May 2008 10:36
The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) have agreed terms with the Australian-based Sykes Group to have former Wallaby Glen Ella work as technical advisor within the FRU's High Performance Unit (HPU) for a period of two years.
The deal will see the Australian rugby icon work with the national fifteen-a-side and Sevens coaches, as well as assist with the Fiji teams in competitions such as the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup and the Junior World Championship, according to a FRU press release.
"Glen adds a new dimension to the HPU," FRU chief executive Timoci Tavanavanua said.
"He comes to Fiji with 15 years' coaching experience at the highest of levels with the Australian Rugby Union. He's a tremendous asset to have on board."
Known for his astute reading of the game, Ella was assistant coach to Eddie Jones when Australia finished runners-up to England at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He also coached the Australia Sevens team for many seasons, the best being 2001 when they defeated Fiji six times in a row, including the Rugby World Cup Sevens semifinals in Mar del Plata and the Wellington Sevens Final.
Ella previously coached Japan to the Asian Championship title in 1996.
"I have long admired Fijian rugby," said Ella, who captained the Congress XV against Fiji in Suva alongside his twin brother Mark back in 1980.
"I'm really looking forward to working with the natural rugby talent that is in abundance in this country."
Ella played four Tests for the Wallabies in the 1980s, his last being against Fiji in 1985 when Australia beat the Esala Teleni-captained side 31-9 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
