The upcoming year is pivotal for women’s rugby, highlighted by the Women’s Rugby World Cup set to take place in England from August 22 to September 27. With less than six months to go, the Fiji Rugby Union has named Ioan Cunningham as the head coach for the Vodafone Fijiana XVs, as he works on assembling his coaching staff and preparing the squad for the tournament.
In preparation, the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua has been actively participating in the Super W competition, which serves as an essential platform for identifying talent ahead of the World Cup. Interim head coach Ifereimi Rawaqa and his assistant Kele Leawere are intensely focused on developing the team, building on the Drua’s successes, including back-to-back Super W titles in 2022 and 2023.
The Drua recent performances include a strong start in the season, where they initially lost to the Brumbies 52-33 in a pre-season clash, but quickly turned things around with a victory over the defending champions, NSW Waratahs, showcasing their potential by winning 23-16. However, last Saturday, they narrowly lost to the Queensland Reds with a score of 22-19 in Lautoka. This Saturday, they will face the Brumbies again, and a positive result could enhance their chances of securing a home semi-final in the playoff race.
Through the ongoing Super W competition, a key focus for the Drua is building player depth. Rawaqa has introduced young players like 17-year-old Carletta Yee, alongside Tiana Robanakadavu and Loraini Senivutu, who have shown promise during gameplay. Their contributions were especially notable in a recent match against the Reds, where they transformed the game dynamics despite trailing.
The team is also learning from successful transitions seen in the men’s game, where players like Iosefo Masi have made the leap from sevens to fifteen-a-side rugby successfully. Inspired by this, the Drua aims to include standout players from the women’s sevens setup, further diversifying their strategy.
Rawaqa has stressed the importance of player positioning, as well, noting that established players like Kolora Lomani and Vitalina Naikore excel when playing in their original winger roles rather than being shifted to other positions. This clarity should help optimize performance while bringing back key players returning from injuries to solidify the centre positions.
Overall, the integration of experienced Olympians with emerging local talents paints a hopeful picture for the Drua and women’s rugby in Fiji. The upcoming matches not only represent a chance to build stronger team dynamics but also to inspire the next generation of female athletes in the region. The dedication and enthusiasm of the team can foster a significant impact on the future of women’s rugby, demonstrating their commitment to excellence as they gear up for the World Cup.
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