Ongoing negotiations aim for Swire Shipping Fijian Drua to host all of their pre-season games locally. Head coach Glen Jackson, in a recent interview, expressed a desire to approach this season differently, emphasizing the benefits of playing at home.
“There will be no away pre-season games; it’s good to be home and enjoy the environment,” Jackson noted. He mentioned that discussions about a match against the RFC Los Angeles rugby team are likely to take place at the end of January. Semi Kunatani, a former Flying Fijian flanker and gold medallist from the Rio Olympic Games, currently plays for the American club in the Major League Rugby competition.
Drua management is also working towards arranging an internal trial where players will compete against each other. Jackson pointed out that, while not yet confirmed, the team aims to face off against Provincial Union teams that participate in the Skipper Cup competition. The teams involved include Nadroga, Naitasiri, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Suva, Tailevu, Macuata, Namosi, and Malolo.
“It would be great to compete with Skipper Cup teams in Nadi, spreading the love across the country and securing some solid matches here,” he added. Additionally, the Drua is looking to participate in local sevens rugby tournaments, having already confirmed their participation in the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens tournament early next year. This will provide Drua players, primarily experienced in 15s rugby, an opportunity to test their skills against some of the country’s best sevens players.
In other news, the Drua’s pre-season camp in Kadavu is developing nicely. Jackson and Head of Athletic Performance Naca Cawanibuka are currently in Kadavu, assessing potential camping sites. They presented their i-sevusevu at Tavuki Village on Tuesday before proceeding to Vunisea. Jackson highlighted that the focus of the Kadavu pre-season camp is to foster team unity both on and off the field.
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