Ifereimi Rawaqa, the men’s skills and development coach for the Fijian Drua, has been appointed as the interim head coach for the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women as they prepare for the 2025 Super Rugby Women campaign. Rawaqa steps into this role following the resignation of Mosese Rauluni, who held a dual position as head coach for both the Fijian Drua Women and Vodafone Fijiana XVs after the recent WXV competition in Dubai. This decision was made by the Drua alongside the Fiji Rugby Union.
Mark Evans, the CEO of Fijian Drua, expressed appreciation for Rawaqa’s acceptance of the interim position, highlighting his reputation as one of the most respected coaches in Fiji and the region. Evans noted Rawaqa’s commitment to the club and rugby in Fiji, emphasizing that the women’s team will be well-supported under his leadership this season. He also mentioned that Rawaqa’s interim role allows ample time for a thorough recruitment process for a permanent head coach.
Rawaqa expressed his honor in taking on this responsibility, recognizing the significance of the upcoming season as a foundation for Fiji’s preparation for the 2025 Rugby World Cup. He highlighted his intention to collaborate with the assistant coaches and the Fiji Rugby Union’s high performance unit to enhance the squad’s depth. The Drua women, who have a commendable history in Super W, having won the championship twice and reached three consecutive grand finals, aim to begin pre-season preparations earlier this year.
As a former player, Rawaqa is a notable figure in Fiji’s rugby landscape with 44 Test caps and participation in two Rugby World Cup tournaments (2003 and 2007), as well as being part of the winning team in the 2005 Rugby World Cup Sevens. With a World Rugby Level 3 coaching accreditation, his coaching journey began in 2013, and since then, he has held various significant coaching roles, including his recent experience leading the Fiji U20 team in prestigious competitions.
Rawaqa’s extensive coaching background and experience make him a pivotal figure as the Drua women look forward to a challenging and important season ahead.
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