The Fijian Drua will participate in the upcoming 2025 McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens, set to take place in January. This announcement was made in Sigatoka yesterday by the Drua alongside the tournament organizers.
The Fiji Coral Coast Sevens is among the country’s premier tournaments, showcasing top local and international teams. Its appeal is heightened by the attendance of famous rugby figures. In previous editions, the event featured legends such as Waisale Serevi, the late Jonah Lomu, Rasta Rasivhenge, George Gregan, Bryan Habana, and Dan Norton, all of whom are celebrated in Sigatoka’s ‘Rugby Town Walk of Fame.’
Drua head coach Glen Jackson expressed excitement, stating, “The Coral Coast 7s is a wonderful tournament, and it’s great for us to be able to field a competitive Drua team in this competition.” He noted that fans will see familiar Drua players alongside members of the Drua development team, eager to showcase their skills in the sevens format.
The tournament offers an opportunity for players, primarily skilled in 15s rugby, to compete against some of the nation’s top sevens talent. Jackson emphasized the importance of the tournament in highlighting rugby talent that often progresses in both sevens and 15s.
Notable Drua players with 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 played with Masi when Fiji clinched the 2018 Sevens Rugby World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.
Jay Whyte, chairman of the Fiji Coral Coast Sevens organizing committee, expressed his gratitude for the Drua’s participation, referring to it as an honor to welcome Fiji’s first professional rugby franchise to this premier tournament. He thanked Mark Evans for being open to having a Drua sevens team join the 2025 event and acknowledged Glen Jackson’s support in this historic initiative.
With a fan base that sees 55% of the Fijian population tuning in to watch the Drua, Whyte remarked, “This level of support is simply phenomenal.” He looked forward to seeing the Drua compete against the best local and international teams over three days in Sigatoka.
The Fiji Coral Coast Sevens will be held from January 16-18 at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.