Fijian Drua Men’s Skills and Development Coach Ifereimi Rawaqa has been named Interim Head Coach for the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women as they prepare for the 2025 Buildcorp Super Rugby Women campaign. Rawaqa succeeds Mosese Rauluni, who stepped down from his joint head coaching role for the Fijian Drua Women and Vodafone Fijiana 15s following the recent WXV competition in Dubai.
The decision was announced by the Fijian Drua and Fiji Rugby Union. Fijian Drua CEO Mark Evans expressed appreciation for Rawaqa’s willingness to take on the interim role, highlighting his revered status in Fiji and his unwavering commitment to the sport. Evans noted, “Ifereimi is one of the most respected coaches in Fiji and the region… the Drua Women will be in good hands with him for this upcoming season.”
Rawaqa is expected to lead the team while allowing the organizations time to conduct a thorough search for a permanent head coach. Rawaqa remarked, “It’s an honour to take charge of the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women for the upcoming Super Rugby Women season. This is an important season for the Women as it lays the groundwork for Fiji’s preparation for the 2025 Rugby World Cup.”
He outlined his intention to collaborate with the assistant coaches and Fiji Rugby Union’s High-Performance Unit to enhance the squad’s depth. He noted the Drua Women’s strong track record in Super Rugby, having won the championship twice in three years and reaching three consecutive grand finals.
Rawaqa also plans to start pre-season training earlier this year and is eager to work with players and staff alike. An integral member of the coaching team, Rawaqa has played a crucial role in recruitment and leads the development pathway for contracted players. Recently, he has headed the high-performance setup for the upcoming Drua Academy, focusing on the selection of the first cohort of academy players.
With 44 Test caps, Rawaqa is a celebrated former player, participating in two Rugby World Cups in 2003 and 2007, and was part of the winning team at the 2005 Rugby World Cup Sevens. He holds World Rugby Level 3 coaching accreditation and began his coaching career in 2013. His previous coaching roles include positions with Lautoka Rugby, Kaizen Hill, and the Fiji Warriors, as well as leading the Fiji U20 team in international competitions in 2023.
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