The man who masterminded Fiji’s historic triumph over the Wallabies at the 2023 Rugby World Cup has been recruited to help rebuild the Waratahs and take the battered team back to the pointy end of Super Rugby.

Simon Raiwalui, a former Wallabies assistant coach who steered Fiji as head coach to the quarter-finals last year in France, is set to be announced as the Waratahs’ new director of performance after a global search.

The position is a powerful new role, which will sit above the Waratahs head coach and take control of all elements of the rugby program at the now Rugby Australia-owned franchise.

Raiwalui took up a high-performance role with World Rugby after the World Cup but has decided to return to the cut and thrust of franchise rugby in his home state.

Along with the head coach, Raiwalui’s role will be all-important in reviving the Waratah’s fortunes, and he will need to hit the ground running.

The Waratahs finished last in Super Rugby Pacific after a season that featured just two wins.

Raiwalui’s appointment is expected to be announced on Friday.