Scottish Rugby 'surprised' as former head coach appointed by Australia days after release

The former Scotland women’s head coach left the role last week after just six months to be allowed to return home and be with his family. While they always expected the Australian would return to coaching, the timing of the appointment caught many off guard.

“This is an unusual situation in so far as we released Sione on compassionate grounds a week ago,” the SRU’s statement said. “Whilst we always expected Sione to work again and would never wish to hold anyone back, we were surprised to learn of this news so quickly.

Former Scotland head coach Sione Fukofuka set to take charge of Australia in 2027

“We have a release agreement in place with Sione which will allow him to take up his post at the start of 2027, and an agreement in place with Rugby Australia who will pay Scottish Rugby an agreed fee. Our focus is on our new coaching team and our national team ahead of WXV where preparations are going well.”

Fukofuka will not take on the role with the Wallaroos until next year, meaning he won’t be in the coaches box for their triple header of WXV Global Series matches against his old side in September and October. Scotland will be led by forward’s coach Dave Butcher in the interim and kick off the competition against Canada at the Hive on Saturday, September 12.

On his appointment by Australia, Fukofuka said: “I would like to express my gratitude to Scottish Rugby for their understanding of my family situation and desire to return home to Australia. Although a difficult decision to leave the Scottish role, this opportunity allows me to be in Sydney closer to my family. I wish the players and staff all the best for the future.

“I know many of the players and coaches well from my time in the Queensland and Australian systems and, as we transition to a fulltime program this year, the opportunity for growth is enormous. The opportunity to align the 7s and 15s programs and work closely with Reg Tayler is an exciting prospect and one I am very much looking forward to.”

Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said: “An enormous amount of planning and effort has gone into remodelling and invigorating the Wallaroos program as we look towards the home Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2029 and we are delighted Sione will lead the squad through this important phase in the position of Head Coach.

“Sione is a leader with a comprehensive knowledge of Australian and international systems and a reputation for creating world-class team environments and standards. He also has a strong relationship with recently-appointed Director of Women’s Rugby Tim Walsh and is respected across Australian Rugby for his previous work with Queensland, the Australian Sevens and Wallaroos programs.

“Tim has appointed a strong and experienced transition team to lead the Wallaroos until Sione’s commencement and I thank Sam and Gill for their commitment and contribution to the squad’s development for Tests against Fiji, Canada, USA and New Zealand this year.”

Fukofuka is set to commence with Rugby Australia in 2027 and report to Tim Walsh, Rugby Australia’s Director of Women’s High Performance, after the transition of the Wallaroos program to fulltime status.

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