Fiji rugby

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, from Tuesday, Raiwalui wrote: "Well I guess it is time to make it official, specifically what the next cycle will look like for Fiji Rugby.

"I will not be seeking an extension of employment with FRU past 31st December. Thanks again to the players, staff & all the supporters, it has been quite a ride!"

Raiwalui has been Fiji's coach since February this year, replacing Vern Cotter. He played 39 times for Fiji between 1997 and 2006.

The Flying Fijians will take on France, Italy and Scotland in Group A, with England, Ireland, Wales and Georgia to contest Group B.

The final round will be a series of crossover matches against the team with the equivalent placing in the opposite pool.

Fiji have not played four consecutive tests against tier one countries in the professional era and CEO, John O'Connor, said their participation would be a historic milestone.

"It will be a challenge for the boys but you know we have been crying over [wanting] more test matches against tier one for so long," he said.

The Flying Fijians won their third straight Pacific Nations Cup title in July and secured the Oceania One berth for the 2019 World Cup, putting them in Pool D alongside Australia, Wales, Georgia and a qualifier.

The ninth-ranked Fijians also chalked up major victories on home soil against Six Nations duo Italy and Scotland but McKee is wanting to see that form replicated on the road.

"We set ourselves a good high benchmark across those tests earlier in the year but the important thing now is to step up to another level in November," he said.

Mr Bainimarama made the announcement at a gala dinner marking the one-year anniversary of Fiji's historic win at last year's Olympic Games in Rio.

He said Fiji has been known as one of the finest exponents of running sevens rugby for decades and had become a dominant force on the international stage.

However, he bemoaned the fact the country didn't currently have a major international Sevens event placing them properly on the world stage.

"We do not have a major Sevens event that befits our position as Olympic Men's Rugby 7s Champions," Mr Bainimarama said.

The 31-year-old signed a multi-year contract to play for the Houston Strikers in the inaugural Major League Rugby competition in the United States.

Kolinisau debuted in Dubai in 2008 and captained Fiji in two World Series titles and the Olympic gold medal in Rio last year.

Gareth Baber said he had been kept in the loop about his skipper's plans.

Hayne has all but committed to suit up for Fiji in the World Cup, having represented the Island nation for four matches before a breakout NRL season with Parramatta in 2009 saw him garner the attention of Australian selectors. 

The Gold Coast Titans' fullback has represented both Fiji and Australia at World Cups, in 2008 and 2013 respectively, with 12 tries and a winner's medal to his name.

However, with the depth of young Australian talent coming through, Hayne believes his time in the green and gold might be up.

He has spent the past three years as head coach of the Fiji Warriors, who successfully defended the Pacific Rugby Challenge earlier this year, beating Tonga A, Junior Japan and Samoa A.

FRU Chief Executive Officer John O'Connor said that following extensive interviews with all the applicants, which were conducted by the FRU and World Rugby and after further consultations with World Rugby they had selected the best applicant for the job," he said.

The 31-year-old made his debut for the Fiji sevens team in 2008 and led them to back to back World Series titles in 2015 and 2016 and sevens gold at last year's Rio Olympics.

"I'm thankful to the Lord and the Strikers management for this exciting opportunity to be a part of the Houston Strikers Rugby family. I'm looking forward to the new challenge," explained Kolinisau.

Osea Kolinisau captained Fiji to sevens gold at the Rio Olympics.

The Flying Fijians won their third straight Pacific Nations Cup title at the weekend after thrashing Samoa 38-16 in Apia.

That result came a week after they secured the Oceania One berth for the 2019 World Cup, putting them in Pool D alongside Australia, Wales, Georgia and a qualifier.

John McKee said it was important they maintained their standards and did not drop just because their main goal had been achieved.

The seven dollar banknote and fifty cent coin celebrates the team's victory at last year's Rio Olympics.

Fiji's prime minister Frank Bainimarama launched the tender last night saying rugby is an intimate part of Fiji's collective identity.

The note features pictures of the team, its coach Ben Ryan and captain Osea Kolinisau.

The coin depicts Ben Ryan sitting on the beach and the team on the reverse.

Photo: Facebook/ Fiji Government