The Fijian Drua has added Vodafone Deans star Maleli Nauvasi to its Development program. The center from Queen Victoria School excelled in the Deans competition, leading his school to victory in the premier (U-18) title in 2024. He was named Player of the Match in the final against Nasinu Secondary School.
Nauvasi’s signing reflects the Fijian Drua’s renewed commitment to identifying exceptional local talent early and providing pathways that could lead to professional contracts within the Super Rugby Pacific squad. Hailing from Dratabu in Nadi, he also represented the Fiji Schoolboys U18 team, where they achieved two victories against the Australia Schoolboys U18 last week, contributing with a try and an assist.
Having played for QVS in the Deans competition from U14 to U18, Nauvasi has showcased his versatility by taking on roles at flyhalf, wing, and fullback during his career. Speaking about his new opportunity, the young athlete expressed his excitement about joining the Drua Development program, noting the importance of remaining close to his family.
Ifereimi Rawaqa, the Fijian Drua Development and Skills Coach, expressed his enthusiasm for welcoming Nauvasi, highlighting his exceptional talent and discipline on the field. Rawaqa is optimistic that with the right support, Nauvasi will make a significant impact in the future. He emphasized the importance of Nauvasi’s development, stating that it is an exciting time for the player and the Drua program.
The Drua Development program aims to equip young players like Nauvasi with the necessary resources, coaching, and high-performance environment to transition to professional rugby. Joining Nauvasi are 10 other young athletes in the Drua Development squad. Players in this program receive a salary and train alongside the Super Rugby Pacific squad most days of the week. Additionally, they have the chance to play for provincial teams in the Skipper Cup, which runs concurrent with the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific.