Glen Jackson has confirmed he will step down as head coach at the end of the Super Rugby Pacific season, a decision that caps a six-year run in Fiji Rugby and comes as the Fijian Drua prepare to travel to Canberra to face the Brumbies. Jackson made the announcement earlier this week, saying it was the right time to hand the reins to someone else and to prioritise family commitments; his tenure will conclude in June. The news arrives amid further coaching upheaval — assistant coach Tim Sampson has been poached by Edinburgh in Scotland, while Mick Bryne has recently departed from a role with the Flying Fijians.
Jackson made his intentions public to allow the playing group to focus on the run-in, and set a clear target: the Drua must win five of their last seven matches to keep postseason hopes alive. With victory over the Western Force in Lautoka last weekend already banked, the coach told players they have one down and four to go. How the team responds on the road will be closely watched — the Drua have not won away from Fiji in 26 attempts, including 14 straight losses in Australia.
The Drua’s 24-22 home win over the Force underlined both promise and vulnerability. After conceding an early try, Fiji built a 19-7 halftime lead through dazzling finishes by Isaiah Armstrong‑Ravula and Isikeli Rabitu and the experienced touches of Virimi Vakatawa, whose four offloads were the most by any Drua player in a single game across the last two seasons. New debutant Isikeli Basiyalo produced a pivotal moment with an intercept try, and a late defensive stand helped preserve the narrow victory as the Force missed three conversion attempts and a long-range penalty.
There are notable milestones and selection shifts ahead of the Canberra trip. Tighthead prop Samuela Tawake will run out for his 50th Drua appearance, becoming just the third player in the club’s short history to reach that mark after debuting in the team’s inaugural 2022 match. Number eight Isoa Tuwai has been handed increased responsibility amid the continued absence of Elia Canakaivata, and Jackson has highlighted the need for Tuwai to step up in the bruising encounters to come.
The Brumbies arrive with a strong lineup and are eager for revenge after losing to the Drua in Ba last month. Canberra have never lost to Fiji on home soil and will be aiming to shore up a top-four berth; coach Stephen Larkham’s men have been pushed tight at home this year, with four of their last six fixtures decided by four points or less. Back on the park for the Brumbies is classy fullback Tom Wright, returning from the injury he sustained against the British and Irish Lions, and the bench will include a handful of Wallabies — the matchday squad is reported to contain up to a dozen current or former internationals.
The Brumbies’ back row will miss Charlie Cale, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury; his spot has gone to Tuaina Tali Tualima. Luke Reimer and Rob Valetini are set to form a physical breakdown unit, and there is the added subplot of Valetini brothers potentially facing off, with Rob due to come up against his brother Kemu, who is in Drua colours. Jackson has warned his side they will need to execute a full 80-minute performance, improve their kicking game and contain Canberra’s driving maul if they are to end the long drought away from home and give Jackson’s swansong season a shot at a fairytale finish.
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