Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson has set high expectations for Meli Derenalagi, aspiring for him to become the top blindside flanker in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition. In a recent interview, Jackson clarified that the decision to relieve Derenalagi of his captaincy was made to allow him to concentrate on his performance on the field.
“Meli is in agreement with this decision, enabling him to focus solely on his rugby,” Jackson stated.
In an exciting development, Jackson has appointed hooker Tevita Ikanivere and experienced halfback Frank Lomani as the team’s co-captains for the upcoming 2025 season. According to Jackson, both players have demonstrated professionalism both on and off the field throughout their time with the Drua, making them the ideal choices for leadership. This is a novel approach for the team, and Jackson expressed enthusiasm about how co-captains could positively influence the club moving forward.
The announcement of the Drua squad also brought some surprises, including the omission of centre Apisalome Vota, Michael Naitokani, and prop Jone Koroiduadua, the latter of whom has opted to join an American club to compete in Major League Rugby.
This strategic shift by the Drua coaching staff, including the decision regarding Derenalagi and the introduction of co-captains, reflects a focus on placing player development and teamwork at the forefront. It is an encouraging sign for fans who anticipate a strong season ahead under this refreshed leadership model.
Summary: Glen Jackson, coach of Swire Shipping Fijian Drua, aims for player Meli Derenalagi to excel as a blindside flanker. Derenalagi has stepped down from captaincy to focus on his performance, while Tevita Ikanivere and Frank Lomani have been appointed co-captains for the 2025 season. Some players were omitted from the squad, highlighting a new strategic direction for the team.
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