The Fijian Drua will participate in the 2025 McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens tournament, scheduled for January. The announcement was made jointly by the Drua and tournament organizers in Sigatoka.
The Fiji Coral Coast Sevens is a highly regarded tournament, featuring top local and international teams. Its appeal is enhanced by the presence of famous rugby figures. Previous editions have seen legends such as Waisale Serevi, the late Jonah Lomu, Rasta Rasivhenge, George Gregan, Bryan Habana, and Dan Norton in attendance, many of whom have been honored on Sigatoka’s ‘Rugby Town Walk of Fame.’
Drua head coach Glen Jackson expressed excitement about the tournament, highlighting its significance and the opportunity for the Drua to field a competitive team. He noted that fans would have the chance to see their favorite Drua players alongside members of the development team, eager to showcase their skills in the sevens format.
Jackson emphasized the importance of the tournament for players who traditionally excel in 15s rugby, allowing them to challenge themselves against some of the best sevens players in the country. He acknowledged the event’s role in highlighting top rugby talents who often advance to greater achievements in both sevens and 15s formats.
Several Drua players have experience in sevens rugby, including Iosefo Masi, Elia Canakaivata, Meli Derenalagi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Joseva Tamani, Vilive Miramira, and Frank Lomani. Notably, Masi and Derenalagi were part of the gold medal-winning team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and Canakaivata played alongside Masi when Fiji triumphed at the 2018 Sevens Rugby World Cup in Cape Town.
Jay Whyte, chairman of the Fiji Coral Coast Sevens organizing committee, expressed delight at welcoming Fiji’s first professional rugby franchise to the premier sevens tournament in the Southern Hemisphere. He thanked Mark Evans for his support and newly appointed head coach Glen Jackson for his collaboration in making this significant participation a reality.
Whyte noted the passionate support the Drua team enjoys, with 55 percent of the nation tuning in to watch their matches, underscoring the franchise’s popularity. He looked forward to seeing the Drua team compete against the best from Fiji and around the world during the three-day event in Sigatoka.
The Fiji Coral Coast Sevens will take place from January 16 to 18 at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.