Negotiations are currently underway for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua to hold all their pre-season games in Fiji. Drua head coach Glen Jackson revealed that this season they aim to adopt a new approach, stating, “No away (pre-season) games, good to be home and enjoy the environment.”
Jackson mentioned that discussions about hosting the RFC Los Angeles rugby team are expected to take place at the end of January. Notably, former Flying Fijian flanker and Rio Olympic gold medalist Semi Kunatani plays for the club in the American Major League Rugby competition.
Additionally, Drua management is planning an internal trial where players will compete against each other. Jackson expressed hope that, while still unconfirmed, the Drua will face Provincial Union teams competing in the Skipper Cup, which includes Nadroga, Naitasiri, Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Suva, Tailevu, Macuata, Namosi, and Malolo. He emphasized the importance of spreading their games across the country, saying, “It’ll be good to play the Skipper Cup teams in Nadi and get some good games here.”
Moreover, the Drua is exploring opportunities to participate in local sevens rugby tournaments. They have already confirmed their entry into the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens tournament early next year, aiming to test their skills in sevens against the nation’s top players, as their main focus is on 15s rugby.
In other news, the Drua’s pre-season camp in Kadavu, scheduled for December, is progressing well. Jackson and Head of Athletic Performance Naca Cawanibuka are currently assessing various camping sites. They conducted their traditional i-sevusevu ceremony at Tavuki Village before moving on to Vunisea. Jackson noted, “The focus for the Kadavu pre-season camp is bringing the team together not only on the field but off the field as well.”