Glen Jackson Confirms Angelo Smith Departure From Fijian Drua Over Value Decision

SWIRE Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson has confirmed that 24-year-old Angelo Smith is no longer part of the club, telling reporters yesterday that the decision was driven by “a value thing.” Jackson spoke as he addressed growing questions from fans about Smith’s conspicuous absence from recent training sessions.

“Angelo Smith’s no longer part of the Drua. Just hearing clearly that it was a value thing and we’ve made a decision to part ways, and we’ll carry on from here,” Jackson said during the press conference. He did not expand on what he meant by “a value thing,” and provided no further detail about the circumstances that led to the split.

Smith, who hails from Nananu in Tailevu, had joined the Drua camp earlier this year and had been part of the squad during pre-season preparations. His departure comes amid a period of squad adjustment for the club as it navigates the ongoing competition, with Jackson indicating the team will continue to move forward following the decision.

The announcement will settle mounting speculation among supporters after Smith’s absence from training became widely noticed. Jackson’s confirmation ends uncertainty over the 24-year-old’s status but leaves unanswered questions about whether the parting was driven by contractual, cultural, performance-related or personal factors—areas the coach did not address publicly.

Club sources and the coach have framed the move as an internal decision; there has been no official statement from Smith himself or from the player’s representatives at the time of Jackson’s remarks. The Drua now face the short-term task of managing their playing group amid the competition, with Jackson emphasising continuity as the immediate course of action.

Mid-season roster changes are not uncommon in professional rugby, and Jackson’s brief statement suggests the Drua intend to absorb the change without significant disruption. How the club replaces Smith’s role—or whether they will promote from within their wider training group—has not been disclosed.