Hall of Famer Waisale Serevi joins Indian national rugby sevens teams as head coach

Rugby icon Waisale Serevi has been named as the head coach for the Indian men’s and women’s rugby sevens teams.

The announcement came on Wednesday, June 19, with Rahul Bose, president of the Indian Rugby Football Union, expressing his excitement over the development.

"The core impetus for all of us at Rugby India is to do better today than we did yesterday. To go one step further every day in our quest to compete with the world's best. Ergo, it is a privilege for us to welcome Waisale Serevi as the head coach of the Indian National 7s teams. We wish him the best and are excited to see him mould the future of Indian Rugby," said Rahul Bose in a statement.

The inclusion of Waisale Serevi in the Indian rugby circuit is expected to catalyze significant growth in the sport. The 56-year-old legend has an illustrious career with the Fijian Rugby Union, both as a player and a coach. Known as the "King of Sevens," Serevi also had a notable career in 15-a-side rugby at both club and national levels.

A two-time Rugby Sevens World Cup winner with Fiji and a World Rugby Hall of Famer, Serevi’s appointment is a landmark moment for Indian rugby. Both the Indian men’s and women’s teams failed to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics after bowing out in the Asia Rugby Regional Olympic Qualifier 2023, making Serevi's expertise even more crucial for future competitions.

“It is an honor and privilege for me to be part of the Rugby family in India" - Waisale Serevi on the opportunity to coach India

Waisale Serevi at the Men 7s Olympic Qualifier - Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Regional Qualification (Image via Getty)

Serevi has not only excelled as a player but also as a coach, contributing to the development of rugby across various countries. He has also served as an advisor on behalf of World Rugby to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the inclusion of Rugby Sevens in the Summer Olympics.

“It is an honor and privilege for me to be part of the Rugby family in India, I am grateful and I thank god for the opportunity. From Japan, England, France, and the USA, I have now made my way to India,” said Waisale Serevi.

Drawing parallels between the USA and India, Serevi highlighted the potential for similar growth in the latter. He also emphasized the strong relationship between Fiji and India, expressing pride in contributing to the growth of Indian rugby.

“Fourteen years ago, Rugby was relatively unknown in the USA, I’ve done a lot of work there. India today is at a similar crossroads. India and Fiji hold a close relationship. It gives me great pride to be a Fijian coming to India, to help them take Rugby to the next level,” added Serevi.

Although India missed a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics, the focus now shifts to future targets and achieving greater heights under Waisale Serevi's guidance. India will aim to leverage Serevi's vast experience and knowledge to develop a competitive edge on the international stage.