Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson is focused on elevating Meli Derenalagi’s performance to become the top blindside flanker in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition. In a recent statement to SUNsports, Jackson shared that this focus on improving performance contributed to Derenalagi stepping down from his captaincy role.
“Meli is fully supportive of this decision, allowing him to concentrate solely on his rugby skills,” Jackson explained.
In a significant shift for the team, Jackson has appointed hooker Tevita Ikanivere and experienced halfback Frank Lomani as co-captains for the upcoming 2025 season. Jackson expressed confidence in their leadership, saying, “Both have demonstrated professionalism both on and off the field. It’s an excellent choice for leading us into the new season.”
This development marks a notable first for the Drua, and Jackson emphasized the excitement among the coaching staff regarding this dual-captain arrangement, viewing it as a positive evolution for the club.
However, the announcement also included some surprise exclusions from the Drua squad, such as centre Apisalome Vota, Michael Naitokani, and prop Jone Koroiduadua, who has opted to pursue an opportunity with an American club in the Major League Rugby competition.
Overall, the Drua appear to be making strategic moves to bolster their performance for the upcoming season, promoting a strong focus on individual skill development and leadership dynamics that could serve the team well as they strive for excellence.
This transition period shows promise, as coaches endeavor to harness the potential of their talented players while instilling a culture of teamwork and leadership. It will be exciting to see how these changes affect the team’s dynamics and performance in the forthcoming competition.
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