Discussions are underway for Swire Shipping Fijian Drua to host all their pre-season matches domestically. Coach Glen Jackson suggested a desire to change the team’s approach this year. “No away (pre-season) games, good to be home and enjoy the environment,” he mentioned.
Jackson also noted that negotiations to arrange a match against the RFC Los Angeles rugby team are expected to take place by the end of January. Semi Kunatani, a former Flying Fijian flanker and gold medalist from the Rio Olympic Games, currently plays for the Los Angeles club in the American Major League Rugby.
Additionally, the Drua management is working toward organizing an internal trial match among the players. Jackson expressed hopes that the Drua would be able to compete against Provincial Union teams that participate in the Skipper Cup competition, which includes Nadroga, Naitasiri, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Suva, Tailevu, Macuata, Namosi, and Malolo. “It’ll be good to play the Skipper Cup teams in Nadi. Also, spread the love around the country and get some good games here,” he added.
The Drua is also considering participation in local sevens tournaments, confirming their involvement in the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens tournament scheduled for early next year. This event will provide an opportunity for Drua players, who primarily excel in 15s rugby, to compete against some of the best sevens players in the country.
In parallel, the Drua’s pre-season training camp in Kadavu, set for December, is taking shape. Jackson and Head of Athletic Performance Naca Cawanibuka are currently assessing various camp locations. They made a traditional presentation, i-sevusevu, at Tavuki Village before proceeding to Vunisea. “The focus (for the Kadavu pre-season camp) is bringing the team together not only on the field but off the field as well,” Jackson noted in a prior interview.
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