Former HKFC Director of Rugby Operations, Andrew Durutalo, Named Head of Fiji Men’s High Performance

Former HKFC Director of Rugby Operations, Andrew Durutalo, the USA Eagles Olympian and XVs player, who also represented the Sunwolves, has been announced as Fiji Rugby’s new Head of Men’s High Performance.

Photo Credit – Fiji Rugby Union

Fiji Rugby Union said in a press release that Durutalo was a pioneer member of the Fiji Rugby High-Performance Unit Academy in 2006 and represented Fiji at age-grade level and captained the Fiji Under-19 and Under-21 teams. He then represented Team USA at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the 2015 Rugby World Cup and the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens.

The Union explained that he will have a key role in looking after Fiji Rugby’s male player and coach pathway, from emerging age-grade talent through to elite and senior national representation, as well as the development of the High-Performance Player and Coach Pathway programmes underpinning the Fiji U18s, Fiji U20s, Fiji Men’s 7s and Flying Fijians.

Fiji Rugby General Manager High Performance, Naca Cawanibuka, said, “Andrew will have an important role in strengthening the Men’s High-Performance pathway and ensuring greater alignment from our U18 and U20 programmes through to Fiji 7s, professional rugby and ultimately the Flying Fijians.

He will also work closely across Performance Analysis, Sports Science and Sports Medicine, Rugby Development, Match Officials and our wider High-Performance team. Modern high performance cannot operate in isolation — these areas must work together around the player and coach.”

Durutalo has also recently spent time with the JRFU & Brave Blossoms and Eddie Jones in Japan during their Test matches. The Fiji Men’s XV team are looking to hire a new Head Coach, and are currently preparing for the Pacific Nations Cup final against Japan this weekend.

Hannah Edwards Appointed as Director of Rugby Operations HKFC –  Charli Jacoby Moves Into Head of Women’s Performance Role

Photo Credit – HKFC

It was announced (quietly) at the end of August 2026 by HKFC that current Head of Women’s Rugby, Hannah Edwards, has stepped up to the Director of Rugby Operations role to replace Durutalo.

The Hong Kong club said Andrew Durutalo had stepped down to pursue other endeavours, but he has now landed the role in Fiji, which is where his roots are and where he was born.

In doing so, Edwards becomes the first woman to lead rugby at HKFC and will lead rugby operations “across the whole section, from the performance programmes through to the community teams, across men’s and women’s rugby and the youth section.”

Hannah Edwards said via the HKFC press release, “I’m proud to take on this role and excited by the opportunity to shape the next stage of HKFC Rugby. There is real strength across the section, and also real potential to become more connected, more innovative and more aligned in how we support players, coaches, volunteers and staff.

Hong Kong is an incredible melting pot of talent, and I’m excited to continue developing a rugby environment that helps that talent thrive across the Club and the wider community.”

This also meant that former USA XV player and CCO, also a coach with the HKCR Women’s XV team, Charli Jacoby, has been appointed Head of Women’s Performance.

Andrew Durutalo said on his own social media account about his time in Hong Kong with HKFC (he was appointed in 2025), “Someone from Hong Kong wanted to speak with me about leading one of the largest and most historic rugby club programmes in Asia.

The scale was significant: around 1,500 youth players, with the senior teams adding another 300+, a club that had set a Guinness World Record 16 years earlier, and a Men’s programme supplying more than 70% of the Hong Kong China national team that had recently qualified for the Rugby World Cup in Australia. There was also strong representation across the national Men’s and Women’s 7s and 15s programmes.

The Men’s Premiership finished as League Trophy and Grand Championship winners, while the Women’s Premiership produced an impressive campaign to finish third overall.

But the results won’t be what I remember most. I’ll remember the people, the relationships built, the challenges shared and the friendships that will last long after the final whistle,” added Durutalo.

Photo Credit – Andrew Durutalo – HKFC

When we found out recently that Durutalo had been let go or stepped down from his position with HKFC, we thought it would be a loss for Hong Kong China Rugby. Happy to see he has landed this role in Fiji.

We wish both Hannah and Charli all the best in their roles – the domestic Prem in Hong Kong starts in October 2026.

Hong Kong China Rugby News

• Andrew Durutalo – “Things will not be handed to you on a silver platter”.
• Toby Booth Rejoins Hong Kong China Men’s XV Coaching Setup Along with S&C Coach Allan Ryan.
• Hong Kong China Rugby CEO James Farndon Leaves Role.
• Hong Kong Scottish RFC Appoints Will Webster As Club Coaching Officer.