The Fijian Drua will participate in the 2025 McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens tournament scheduled for January. This announcement was made yesterday by both the Drua and the tournament organizers in Sigatoka.
The Fiji Coral Coast Sevens is a highly anticipated event, showcasing top local and international teams. The tournament’s popularity is heightened by the participation of famous rugby personalities. Notable figures such as Waisale Serevi, the late Jonah Lomu, Rasta Rasivhenge, George Gregan, Bryan Habana, and Dan Norton have graced the tournament in previous editions, earning their place in Sigatoka’s ‘Rugby Town Walk of Fame.’
Drua head coach Glen Jackson expressed enthusiasm for the event, stating, “The Coral Coast 7s is a wonderful tournament, and it’s great for us to have a strong Drua team competing.” He noted that fans would see many beloved Drua players alongside members of the Drua development team, eager to showcase their skills.
The tournament presents an opportunity for players, primarily trained in 15s rugby, to challenge themselves against some of Fiji’s best 7s talents. “We’ll be there supporting this fantastic tournament, which helps expose top rugby talents who can then aspire to greater achievements in both 7s and 15s rugby,” Jackson added.
Several Drua players have experience in sevens rugby, including Iosefo Masi, Elia Canakaivata, Meli Derenalagi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Joseva Tamani, Vilive Miramira, and Frank Lomani. Notably, Masi and Derenalagi contributed to Fiji’s gold medal win at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, while Canakaivata was part of the team that claimed the 2018 Sevens Rugby World Cup in Cape Town.
Jay Whyte, chairman of the Fiji Coral Coast Sevens organizing committee, shared his excitement about the Drua’s involvement, saying, “We are thrilled and honored to welcome Fiji’s first professional rugby franchise to our premier sevens tournament in the southern hemisphere.” He thanked Mark Evans for his support during the 2024 tournament and expressed gratitude towards Glen Jackson for allowing his team to participate.
With 55 percent of the population tuning in to watch the Drua, Whyte acknowledged the exceptional support they receive. He added, “We look forward to seeing how our Drua boys compete against the best from Fiji and around the world during the three-day event in rugbytown.”
The Fiji Coral Coast Sevens will be held from January 16-18 at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.