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Sione Fukofuka is the new Head Coach of the Women’s Eagles. He makes the move from Australia, having just held an Assistant Coach role with the Wallaroos in their WXV campaign. Fukofuka is the permanent replacement for Rob Cain, with Rich Ashfield and more recently Milton Haig assuming interim Head Coach positions since the completion of last year’s World Cup.
In addition to his national duties, Fukofuka was also an assistant with the Queensland Reds side in Super Rugby W. A long list of previous coaching experience includes Head Coach positions at Queensland Premier clubs GPS and Sunnybank, the Australia 7s development program, and as Director of Rugby at Canterbury College in Brisbane.
Fukofuka will relocate to the USA in the new year, and is expected to be fully integrated in time for the Pacific Four competition as preparations heat up for RWC 2025 in England. A statement from the new coach included in a media release reads, in part:
“I was drawn to this opportunity as I see the huge potential in the program. Having coached against the team, there are some key qualities that standout and it is those qualities that have driven the USA to the top three in the world before and has the potential to again return the team to that position.
“I hope to bring a level of professionalism and leadership to the program in the lead up to Rugby World Cup 2025 and beyond. 2024 will be an important year in the lead up to the Rugby World Cup, in terms of building depth but also implementing key processes that allow us to get results and play a style of rugby that is both effective but also embodies the identity of USA Rugby.”
