Manenti had served a three-year apprenticeship as an assistant coach for both the Australian Men’s and Women’s Sevens programs, before transitioning to the Women’s side in a full-time capacity in the lead up to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. 

He took over as interim coach after the Commonwealth Games after Tim Walsh announced he was stepping down from the head coach role of the women's team. 

“We’re very pleased to announce that John Manenti will lead the Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens side for the next three years and will guide the team through its 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games campaign," Rugby Australia Chief Executive Raelene Castle said.

“John has been in our Sevens program for a number of years and presented a great vision and plan for the squad and for the women’s program into the future.

“With the Tokyo Olympics just over a year away, we’re pleased to confirm that the legacy created by Tim Walsh will continue with John and his team moving forward,” she said. 

“I’d like to thank Rugby Australia for the faith that they have shown in me," Manenti said.

“What we have built with this team is truly special and our challenge is to now add to the story of this side and continue to train and live by the high standards we have set," he added.

Manenti has led Australia in two Sevens World Series events including a silver medal in Canada and a bronze in Japan. 

Australia currently leads the standings on 74 points with New Zealand in hot pursuit on 70 points. 

 

Manenti the man to lead #Aussie7s Women.

A post shared by rugby.com.au (@rugbycomau) on