The Fijian Drua will participate in the 2025 McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens tournament scheduled for January. This announcement was made collaboratively by the Drua and tournament organizers during an event in Sigatoka.
The Fiji Coral Coast Sevens is highly regarded in the country and attracts top local and international teams. The tournament’s appeal is heightened by the involvement of famous rugby figures. Previous events have seen the presence of legends like Waisale Serevi, the late Jonah Lomu, Rasta Rasivhenge, George Gregan, Bryan Habana, and Dan Norton, who are all celebrated in Sigatoka’s ‘Rugby Town Walk of Fame.’
Drua head coach Glen Jackson expressed enthusiasm about the event, stating that it’s an excellent opportunity for the team to showcase their skills. He noted that fans can expect to see some favorite Drua players alongside those from the development team, all eager to compete.
The competition will provide a platform for players primarily skilled in 15s rugby to challenge themselves against some of the best 7s players in the nation. Jackson emphasized the importance of supporting the tournament, which serves to highlight emerging rugby talents who may excel in higher levels of both 7s and 15s rugby.
Notable Drua players who have experience in sevens include Iosefo Masi, Elia Canakaivata, Meli Derenalagi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Joseva Tamani, Vilive Miramira, and Frank Lomani. Masi and Derenalagi were part of the gold medal-winning team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, while Canakaivata was on the Fijian squad that secured victory at the 2018 Sevens Rugby World Cup in Cape Town.
Jay Whyte, chairman of the organizing committee for the Fiji Coral Coast Sevens, expressed excitement about the Drua’s involvement, stating that it is a privilege to include Fiji’s first professional rugby franchise in the premier sevens tournament of the southern hemisphere. He acknowledged Mark Evans, who was supportive of the proposal for Drua’s participation, as well as Glen Jackson for enabling this significant chapter.
Whyte noted the strong support for the Drua, with 55 percent of the nation tuning in to watch their matches, highlighting the team’s popularity. He looks forward to witnessing how the Drua players will perform against top teams from Fiji and around the world during the three-day event in rugbytown.
The Fiji Coral Coast Sevens will take place from January 16-18 at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.