(Source: Provided)

Former Melbourne Rebels assistant coach Tim Sampson has officially joined the coaching staff of Swire Shipping Fijian Drua for the 2025 Super Rugby season.

Sampson will take on the role of running the Drua attack in the upcoming seasons of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition and his experience from international matches and coaching is sure to be an asset to the team.

Sampson most recently served as Senior Assistant Coach with the Melbourne Rebels, leading them to the 2024 quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

He previously served as head coach at Western Force from 2018-2022, where he was responsible for the club’s entire coaching approach.

Sampson has coaching experience at both Premier League and Super Rugby Pacific levels following a successful playing career that saw him awarded the Queensland Premier Rugby Player of the Year award in 2005.

Sampson said he was delighted to be allowed to join the Drua club, a club he has admired since joining the Super Rugby competition.

“I am thrilled to be allowed to coach at a club like Drua, who I have admired since their participation in the National Rugby Championship in 2017,” he says.

Fiji Drua CEO Mark Evans also shared Sampson’s sentiments, saying they were delighted to welcome the experienced coach to their team.

“We are delighted to welcome Tim to Drua as our new Offensive Coach following an extensive recruitment process. He brings a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective that we believe will enhance our attack,” he said.