The Fijian Drua rugby team will compete in the 2025 McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens, set to take place in January. This announcement was made jointly by the Drua and the tournament organizers yesterday in Sigatoka.
The Fiji Coral Coast Sevens is a highly regarded tournament in the country, showcasing top local and international rugby teams. Its popularity is bolstered by the attendance of rugby legends, with past participants including notable figures like Waisale Serevi, the late Jonah Lomu, Rasta Rasivhenge, George Gregan, Bryan Habana, and Dan Norton, all of whom have been honored on 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 field a strong Drua team in the competition.” He mentioned that fans can look forward to seeing their favorite Drua players competing alongside members of the Drua development team, who are eager to showcase their skills in the 7s format.
“This competition offers our players the opportunity to test their talents, typically honed in 15s rugby, against some of Fiji’s finest 7s athletes,” Jackson added. He emphasized the team’s commitment to supporting the tournament, which serves as a platform for emerging rugby talent to shine in both sevens and 15s formats.
Several Drua players, including Iosefo Masi, Elia Canakaivata, Meli Derenalagi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Joseva Tamani, Vilive Miramira, and Frank Lomani, have experience in sevens rugby. Notably, Masi and Derenalaki were part of Fiji’s gold medal-winning team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, while Canakaivata played a key role when Fiji captured the 2018 Sevens Rugby World Cup title in Cape Town.
Jay Whyte, chairman of the Fiji Coral Coast Sevens organizing committee, expressed excitement about the Drua’s participation, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Fiji’s first professional rugby franchise to this premier sevens tournament in the southern hemisphere.” He thanked Mark Evans for his support and Glen Jackson for allowing the team to participate.
“The support for the Drua is phenomenal, with 55% of the nation tuning in to watch them play,” Whyte noted, adding, “We look forward to seeing how our Drua boys perform against the best in Fiji and around the world during this three-day event in rugbytown.”
The Fiji Coral Coast Sevens will be held from January 16-18 at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.