NATIONAL 7s assistant coach Etuate Waqa flies out of the country today to join the Tonga Rugby Union as its new sevens director.
Waqa, who was the assistant to national coach Alifereti Dere in the 2010/2011 IRB Sevens World Series, said he would meet Tongan rugby officials regarding his new appointment.
The former national fifteens and rugby league rep said he would get straight to work upon arriving in Nukualofa as the Tonga Rugby Union wants to discuss with him his plans for sevens in the island kingdom.
"I will be meeting their officials regarding my contract and we will also discuss my plans," Waqa said.
"They (TRU) want me to start work straight away especially as the Tonga sevens team will begin their training camp in preparations for the Gold Coast Sevens from next week.
"So everything will depend on our talks next week and it might be possible that I will take the Tongan team to Gold Coast next month.
"I've already had some talks with them (TRU) and they want me to head all their sevens programs and this also includes women's sevens."
Waqa said he would return to Fiji to clear everything with FRU.
"I leave with a very clear heart and I believe Fiji sevens has a very successful future," Waqa said.
"I believe the work I started with Dere is starting to bear fruit and to win three tournaments in our first year as coaches speaks volumes of the work we've done."
Waqa said he believed Tonga would be a top sevens team if they could set up a proper program in Nukualofa.
"We have seen what they have done in fifteens so if we can set up a proper sevens development program in Tonga, then I don't see why they can't compete with the top sevens countries in the world.
"My aim is to lift sevens in Tonga."
Waqa said he also had plans to set up a local sevens series in Tonga. "I believe that if we can organise some local sevens tournaments in Tonga then we can help develop local players over there."
Waqa and Dere were appointed late last year and kicked-off their coaching stint with victory at the Gold Coast Sevens in Australia. The duo also led Fiji to victories at the Hong Kong and London 7s tournaments.
Fiji missed out on winning the 2011/2012 title allowing arch rivals New Zealand to take its 10th series title.