The Fijian Drua has confirmed that it will participate in the 2025 McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens scheduled for January. This announcement was made in Sigatoka yesterday by both the Drua and the tournament organizers.
The Fiji Coral Coast Sevens is one of the most popular sporting events in the country, showcasing top local teams alongside international competitors. The tournament has gained fame not only for its competitive nature but also for attracting renowned rugby personalities. Previous attendees include rugby legends such as Waisale Serevi, the late Jonah Lomu, Rasta Rasivhenge, George Gregan, Bryan Habana, and Dan Norton, many of whom have been honored on Sigatoka’s ‘Rugby Town Walk of Fame.’
Head coach of the Drua, Glen Jackson, expressed his enthusiasm, stating that the Coral Coast Sevens is an excellent tournament and a great opportunity for the Drua team. Fans can expect to see familiar Drua players participating alongside members of the Drua development team, eager to showcase their skills. Jackson emphasized this event as a valuable experience for players, especially as they compete against some of the best talent in sevens rugby.
Several Drua players have experience in sevens rugby. Iosefo Masi, Elia Canakaivata, Meli Derenalagi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Joseva Tamani, Vilive Miramira, and Frank Lomani are among those who have played at a high level in this format. Masi and Derenalagi were part of the gold medal-winning team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, while Canakaivata played alongside Masi during Fiji’s victory at the 2018 Sevens Rugby World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.
Jay Whyte, chairman of the Fiji Coral Coast Sevens organizing committee, expressed excitement and gratitude for the Drua’s participation in this prestigious tournament. He acknowledged the support from Mark Evans, who was receptive to the idea of including a Drua sevens team during a visit in 2024, and praised coach Glen Jackson for allowing this historic moment to unfold.
Whyte noted the incredible support the Drua receives from fans, with 55 percent of the nation tuning in to watch their games, which highlights the team’s popularity. He looks forward to witnessing the Drua’s performance against the best teams from Fiji and around the world during the three-day event in rugbytown.
The Fiji Coral Coast Sevens is set to take place from January 16-18 at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.