Sione Fukofuka, who left his role as Scotland women's head coach on compassionate grounds last week, has been appointed head coach of Australia's women's team, the Wallaroos. Scottish Rugby said they were "surprised" to learn of the news so quickly.
Eight days after compassionate exit
Fukofuka was released from his Scotland contract last week to return to his native Australia and support his family, with his wife's parents both ill. In a statement at the time, he said "the stress and strain on [his] family proved too much" for him to continue in his role, and he had requested an early release from his contract.
Just eight days later, the 47-year-old, who was only hired as Scotland boss in December last year, was confirmed as the Wallaroos' new head coach on Tuesday morning. He has signed a contract with Rugby Australia through to the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2029, but will not start his new role until the beginning of next year and will miss the Wallaroos' WXV clash with Scotland in September.
Scottish Rugby responds
Given the nature of the coach's departure, the news has been met with surprise back in Scotland, with the union issuing a statement on the "unusual" situation on Tuesday.
"This is an unusual situation in so far as we released Sione on compassionate grounds a week ago," the SRU statement read. "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."
"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's new role and Scotland's interim boss
As his appointment as Australia boss was confirmed, 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."
Announcing his departure from Scotland last week, the coach said he had made "the hardest professional decision" of his life, as he explained: "I approached Scottish Rugby and asked for a release from my contract under compassionate grounds. Effectively, the stress and the strain on my family, who are back in Australia away from me, proved too much to continue to go on and to do this role the way it should be done."
"With the time back home in Australia over the summer, it was able to give me a lot more insight into the sacrifices that they’re making, on top of those that I make as well," he added. "We also had a change in circumstances where, unfortunately, my wife’s parents are unwell, so that means the family relocating in the 12-month plan that we had is not feasible anymore. I can’t be away from my family for that amount of time and do the job the way it should be done."
Fukofuka's former assistant Dave Butcher has taken charge of the Scottish team on an interim basis ahead of their WXV Global Series matches against Australia, New Zealand and Canada next month.
