Negotiations are currently underway for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua to conduct all their pre-season matches at home. Head coach Glen Jackson suggested a shift in approach during a recent interview, emphasizing the benefit of staying local. “No away (pre-season) games, good to be home and enjoy the environment,” he stated.
Jackson mentioned that discussions are likely to culminate in a match against the RFC Los Angeles rugby team at the end of January. Notably, former Flying Fijian flanker and Rio Olympic gold medallist Semi Kunatani is a player for the American Major League Rugby club.
Additionally, the Drua management is exploring the possibility of organizing an internal trial game among the Drua players. Jackson also expressed hopes for matches against Provincial Union teams participating in the Skipper Cup competition, which includes teams such as 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 remarked.
The Drua are also considering participation in local sevens tournaments, having already confirmed their entry into the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens tournament scheduled for early next year. This event will provide an opportunity for Drua players, who primarily compete in 15s rugby, to test their skills against some of the finest sevens players in Fiji.
In another development, the Drua’s pre-season camp in Kadavu is beginning to take shape, with Jackson and Head of Athletic Performance Naca Cawanibuka assessing potential camping sites. They performed a ceremonial i-sevusevu at Tavuki Village before moving on 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 mentioned in a prior interview.
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