Former Fiji 15s lock, Akuila Matanibukaca will be replacing New Zealand 7s playmaker, Amasio Raoma to coach the Puketoi Rugby Club in New Zealand.

Fellow Fijian, Raoma recently resigned as coach-player for the club-side due to personal and family commitments while Matanibukaca will take over the reins this season.

He debuted for Fiji in 2005 against the New Zealand Maoris and featured four times in the white jersey with his last Test being against Tonga the same year.

Matanibukaca was a former Nadi lock and first claimed his spot on the local scene for the Northern Sharks in 2004 in Fiji.

A knee injury ruled him out from competing further internationally, leading up to his new appointment in NZ.