{
  "id": 602716,
  "title": "Wallaroos name new head coach as 2029 Rugby World Cup looms on horizon",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/wallaroos-name-new-head-coach-as-2029-rugby-world-cup-looms-on-horizon",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-11T21:08:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News",
    "slug": "abc-news",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-12/wallaroos-head-coach-sione-fukofuka-2029-rugby-world-cup/107026222"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sione Fukofuka has been appointed as the new head coach of the Wallaroos, the Australian women's rugby team, ahead of the 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup. He will assume the position in 2027, with a transitional coaching team leading the team through the remainder of the current year. Fukofuka, who is 47 years old, will lead the team during their hosting of the Women's Rugby World Cup, which will be held in Australia. The Wallaroos recently made the decision to become a full-time program, and Fukofuka will be working under Rugby Australia's director of women's high performance, Tim Walsh. Fukofuka previously served as the head coach of Scotland and led the USA team from 2023 to 2025. He expressed his excitement about the opportunity to be closer to his family and the potential for growth in the Australian rugby system. Rugby Australia is confident in Fukofuka's ability to improve the Wallaroos' performance, particularly in light of their challenging recent results.",
  "summary": "As the Wallaroos edge closer to becoming a full-time program, a key appointment has been made in the build-up to the 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup.",
  "key_points": [
    "Sione Fukofuka appointed as Wallaroos head coach for 2029 World Cup",
    "Fukofuka, 47, to lead team in Australia hosting Women's Rugby World Cup",
    "Former Scotland and USA head coach excited to be closer to family"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Wallaroos name new head coach as 2029 Rugby World Cup looms on horizon",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/wallaroos-name-new-head-coach-as-2029-rugby-world-cup-looms-on-horizon-604701",
        "published": "2026-08-11T21:08:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}