Glen Jackson has publicly thrown his weight behind teenage debutant Maika Tuitubou as the SWIRE Shipping Fijian Drua prepare for a Super Round showdown with the Chiefs at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch on Sunday. The head coach described Tuitubou as a success story of the Drua development pathway, praising the young player's rise through Fiji U20 ranks and his adaptation to the demands of professional rugby.
Jackson said Tuitubou has “come through our system” and highlighted the hard work that earned him a spot in the match-day squad. The coach revealed the selection still came as a surprise to the player himself, and noted the emotional moment in the dressing room when teammates greeted the announcement with a round of applause. “To see the reaction from the team was unreal. That’s the reward for a young man who has worked hard,” Jackson said, while tempering expectations for a challenging first outing in a tough environment.
The coach signalled long-term belief in Tuitubou’s potential, comparing the youngster’s trajectory to established club figures and forecasting a substantial future with the Drua. “It won’t be perfect for him in his first game — it’s a tough environment — but we believe he can grow into a player like Samu Tawake and go on to play 50 games for the club,” Jackson said, underlining the club’s view that the pathway can deliver sustained success at Super Rugby level.
Beyond the individual selection, Jackson used the platform to reaffirm the Drua’s connection to the Fijian community. He pointed to visible signs of support from young fans at home and across New Zealand and Australia as a continual source of inspiration for the squad. “This club was built for the people of Fiji. I love seeing Drua colours everywhere,” he said, urging boys and girls who dream of playing professionally to keep their passion for the game alive.
The Drua squad departed Fiji on Thursday ahead of the Super Round fixture and will be seeking a strong performance against the Chiefs as they look to build momentum in the Super Rugby Pacific campaign. Jackson’s backing of Tuitubou comes as the Drua balance the immediate task of facing a formidable opposition with the longer-term work of blooding young talent into the side.
Tuitubou’s elevation will be watched closely by Drua supporters and talent scouts alike as an indication of the effectiveness of the franchise’s development structures. If he performs as Jackson hopes, the debut could mark the start of a sustained inclusion of homegrown players in the Drua’s Super Rugby plans.