Former referee Glen Jackson is to become coach of the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby on a three-year contract. He replaces Mick Byrne who is leaving the team at the end of the season for the post of Fiji coach, the franchise announced on Monday.
The New Zealander played as a fly-half for Waikato Chiefs in Super Rugby and for English club Saracens before retiring to become a referee in 2010.
The 48-year-old refereed 32 international matches and 88 Super Rugby matches before retiring from refereeing when he was not selected for the 2019 World Cup.
Jackson was assistant coach of the Fiji national team which reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in France last year and has been part of the Fijian Drua staff since the club joined Super Rugby Pacific in 2022 .
“Glen has some wonderful ideas that will make the Fijian Drua even more successful in the future,” Drua chief executive Mark Evans said in a statement. His deep knowledge of Fijian culture, complemented by his ideas and relationships with players, staff and everyone at the club, provides the continuity that the Drua needs.”
The Drua reached the playoffs in their second year of existence in 2023 and are in contention to repeat the feat this year, with two more matches to play in the regular season.
“I’m very excited to work with quality players and have the opportunity to develop leaders,” Jackson said. I am committed to ensuring Fiji continues to achieve success in Super Rugby Pacific, growing the game and establishing a platform for the next generation.”