The Fijian Drua Women’s team is set to host two exciting matches in the 2025 Super Rugby Women’s competition, as announced recently. Aiming for a top two finish in the regular season, the Drua could potentially have the opportunity to host a semi-final on home soil.
Notably, the 2025 season will mark the inaugural Super Rugby Champions final, where the winners of Super Rugby W will compete against the champions of New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aupiki.
The Drua Women will kick off their season on February 28 against the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. They will then return to Fiji to compete against the Reds on March 8, which coincidentally falls on International Women’s Day, as part of an action-packed double header at Churchill Park in Lautoka. The women’s match is scheduled to begin at 1:05 PM, followed by the Drua Men facing the Chiefs at 3:30 PM. One week later, the team will take on the Brumbies Women in a standalone match on March 15 at 3:30 PM, also in Lautoka.
In total, the Drua Women will have their final regular season match on the road against the Western Force in Perth on March 23. The semi-finals are set to take place during the weekend of April 5, with the top two ranked teams enjoying the home advantage, while the Grand Final will occur on April 12, followed by the crossover final on April 17.
Mark Evans, the chief executive officer of Fijian Drua, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming season, highlighting the team’s past successes, having won Super Rugby Women in 2022 and 2023 and finishing as runners-up in 2024. Evans emphasized the team’s commitment to returning to the winner’s podium, acknowledging the challenges ahead as they enter a rebuilding phase. This includes integrating a new interim head coach and bolstering player depth.
The Drua have also invested in improved facilities to ensure that their women’s program is well-prepared for the upcoming season. Hosting two home matches not only excites the players but also allows fans to rally behind their team during these pivotal games. Evans particularly noted the significance of having the Drua Women take the field on International Women’s Day, promising a memorable experience for all attending fans.
This development is a positive sign for the growth of women’s rugby in Fiji and showcases the increasing investment in women’s sports, creating opportunities for greater community engagement and support for the teams.
Overall, the upcoming Super Rugby Women’s season offers a promising and thrilling opportunity for the Fijian Drua Women to shine on a competitive stage while inspiring fans and fostering the growth of women’s rugby.
Leave a comment