Fijian Drua consider a fresh preseason twist: pitting a best XV from the Skipper Cup against the Drua
Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson is floated a new preseason concept that could reshape their build-up to Super Rugby Pacific: a best XV selected from Fiji’s Skipper Cup taking on the Drua in a high-profile warm-up. The idea aims to deliver tough, all-Fiji competition and to strengthen the club’s ties with the domestic rugby scene.
Jackson has said that last year’s open format lacked sufficient lead-up, and the proposed fixture would provide a more substantial preseason lead-in. He believes a clash between a Skipper Cup selection and the Drua would offer more variety than the Drua’s regular preseason run-outs and would give fans an all-local showdown to savour. The Drua would not only face a different test but would also help showcase Fiji’s homegrown talent on a national stage.
The coach envisions the fixture as a thrilling spectacle built on physicality and pride, with the potential to broaden the Drua’s talent pool by highlighting players from the Skipper Cup who could push for Super Rugby selection. If adopted, the matchup would serve as a showcase platform for local talent while giving the Drua a perfect test ahead of the Super Rugby season.
The concept aligns with broader Drua strategy outlined in recent discussions about preseason planning. There has been a push to base as many warm-up games as possible in Fiji, avoiding away pre-season fixtures, and to keep a strong domestic link. Discussions around involving Skipper Cup teams—Nadroga, Naitasiri, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Suva, Tailevu, Macuata, Namosi, and Malolo—in pre-season play have been part of the ongoing conversations. There is also interest in organizing internal trials among Drua players and in exposing Drua players to Skipper Cup competition in places like Nadi, spreading the rugby excitement across the country. Additionally, the Drua continue to explore participation in local sevens tournaments, with the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens already on their radar for early next year. Kadavu remains a key focus for a December pre-season camp aimed at fostering team unity both on and off the field.
If the Skipper Cup XV versus Drua fixture goes ahead, it would provide a powerful connection between Fiji’s domestic clubs and the professional side, while helping to identify and nurture homegrown talent in a context that mirrors top-level competition.
What this could mean for fans and players
– A genuine all-Fiji pre-season showcase, with a clear pathway from Skipper Cup to Super Rugby.
– Increased opportunities for Skipper Cup players to audition for the Drua.
– A potential venue spread across Fiji, with talks of bringing Skipper Cup teams to Nadi to boost national engagement.
– A broader talent development pipeline, complemented by Drua’s ongoing domestic and sevens initiatives.
Summary: The proposed best Skipper Cup XV versus Drua fixture signals a proactive, locally grounded approach to pre-season, aimed at intensifying competition, elevating Fiji’s domestic talent, and delivering meaningful, all-Fijian matchups ahead of Super Rugby Pacific.
Editor’s notes and context
– This idea sits alongside Drua’s broader plans to base more pre-season activity in Fiji, avoiding away games and integrating with Skipper Cup clubs.
– Kadavu-based camps and i-sevusevu exchanges reflect the club’s emphasis on unity and cultural connection as part of the preparation.
– If linked with existing pre-season moves, the fixture could become a recurring feature, strengthening the link between Fiji’s provincial unions and the Drua while offering fresh, high-intensity match practice for players preparing for the Super Rugby season.
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