By Gary Anderson

September 20 - Ben Ryan is set to take over the head coach role with Fijis national sevens sideJust over a month after stepping down as head coach of England's rugby sevens side, Ben Ryan has been announced in the same role for Fiji, and will be at the helm of the South Pacific side up until the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The Londoner will take over from Alivereti Dere, who spent two years in the Fijian hot-seat and lead them to a third place finish at this year's International Rugby Board (IRB) Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow.

Ryan's England side finished as runners-up to New Zealand in Moscow bettering their quarter-final exit in 2009 and during his six years in charge England won five Sevens World Series events between 2007 and 2013, two in Dubai, two in New Zealand and one in London.

The 41-year-old also led England to a European Series title win and a Junior Commonwealth Games win in 2011.

As part of his role as Fiji's national team head coach, Ryan will also develop local coaches and the game of rugby sevens throughout the country, after it was revealed that he headed a shortlist of four that included Etuate Waqa, Iliesa Tanivula and New Zealand-based Waisiki Masirewa.

"He has all the credentials to develop Fiji's sevens' game and also assist in development of sevens rugby in this country," said Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) deputy chairman Daniel Whippy.

"We expect him to take sevens to another level.

"He understands the talents that exist in this country and I guess he has another view of how he can develop that talent both at grassroots and the national level.

"It's too early to talk about how the game will be but generally, if you notice overseas teams, they play in a very structured way.

"They prefer to use set moves every time so with Fiji's flair and with a bit of better organisation in that area, we may have a better team."

Ryan, who becomes the second non-Fijian to coach the national sevens side after New Zealander Wayne Pivac, is expected to be in the country for the Fiji Water Centennial International Sevens, which doubles as the Oceania Sevens on October 4 and 5,

He will then take the team t t9he first HSBC Sevens World Series of the season in the Gold Coast, Australia on October 12 and 13, a tournament the Fijians have won for the past two years.

Ben Ryan spent six years as head coach of England leading them to runners-up spot at the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens in MoscowBen Ryan spent six years as head coach of England leading them to runners-up spot at the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow


























Former Fijian national coach Peni Veidreyaki, who lead the side during the inaugural Sevens World Series in 1999/2000, said he was surprised that the FRU handed the Englishman a three-year contract rather than one that is based on performance and results but called for backing for the new man in charge.

"Obviously the Fiji Rugby Union is targeting the 2016 Olympics," said Veidreyaki.

"I don't know if there is a non-performance clause in his contract.

"But what will happen if the results are not as expected?

"The previous coaches were all on performance based contracts.

"In saying that, Ben has proved himself.

"In Fiji he will get an abundance of talent.

"He knows the game well.

"FRU has appointed him for three years and it is a bold step.

"We now have to support him."

Whippy also announced the appointment of three team managers, who will work on a rotational basis for the Fijian team, in the form of Paula Biu, Ropate Kauvesi and Isei Rayawa.

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