Negotiations are currently in progress for Swire Shipping Fijian Drua to host all their pre-season matches locally. Head coach Glen Jackson hinted in a recent interview that the team aims to adopt a different approach this season.
“We are planning no away (pre-season) games, allowing us to enjoy the home environment,” Jackson stated. He also mentioned that discussions about playing against the RFC Los Angeles rugby team are likely to take place by the end of January. This American team features former Flying Fijian flanker and Rio Olympic gold medallist Semi Kunatani.
In addition to external matches, the Drua management is working on organizing an internal trial game within the team. Jackson expressed hope that the Drua will compete against teams from the Provincial Union that are part of the Skipper Cup competition, including Nadroga, Naitasiri, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Suva, Tailevu, Macuata, Namosi, and Malolo.
“It would be beneficial to play Skipper Cup teams in Nadi and to spread the excitement around the country with some good matches,” he added.
The Drua are also exploring participation in local sevens rugby tournaments. They have confirmed their involvement in the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens tournament scheduled for early next year. This presents an opportunity for Drua players, who specialize in 15s rugby, to test their skills against some of the best sevens players in Fiji.
Meanwhile, preparations for the Drua’s pre-season camp in Kadavu in December are underway. Jackson, along with Head of Athletic Performance Naca Cawanibuka, is in Kadavu assessing potential camping sites. They recently conducted their i-sevusevu ceremony at Tavuki Village before continuing to Vunisea.
“The aim of the Kadavu pre-season camp is to strengthen team bonds both on and off the field,” Jackson noted in a prior interview.