TIMOCI Wainiqolo will hope to continue his success story with the Fiji sevens team after being appointed by the Fiji Rugby Union as Alifereti Dere's assistant earlier this week.
Wainiqolo's appointment comes in after the departure of Etuate Waqa, who has joined the Tongan Rugby Union as their new 7s director.
FRU media liaison officer Talei Mow said the former 7s rep was the national team's "interim" assistant coach.
Mow said more information on his appointment would be divulged today when Dere and Wainiqolo faced the media to update on their preparation for the first leg of the HSBC International Rugby Board (IRB) 7s Series in Gold Coast, Australia.
Wainiqolo is expected to guide the team to the Gold Coast 7s from October 13 to 14 as Dere is under travel sanctions to Australia.
The Bua native became a national sensation after scoring the winning try for Fiji in the 1991 Hong Kong 7s.
After nearly two decades, he hit the headlines again guiding the Wardens team to successive victories in the top local 7s tournaments. Wainiqolo took charge of the Namosi rugby side guiding them to win the B Division and later through to the top flight after bashing Rewa 43-6 in the promotion/relegation match last Saturday.
Defending champions Fiji is pooled alongside Scotland, Tonga and hosts, Australia at the Gold Coast 7s.