Koli Sewabu, the chief executive of the Fiji Rugby Union, sees the upcoming pre-season match against the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua as a pivotal opportunity to bridge the divide between professional and grassroots rugby in Fiji. This marks a significant milestone as it will be the inaugural pre-season match featuring a local representative side competing against the Drua.
Sewabu is optimistic that this initiative will play a vital role in easing the transition for local players into the professional arena. He highlighted the importance of the Skipper XV, which serves as a clear pathway for aspiring athletes to develop their skills before advancing to the international level with the Flying Fijians.
He stated, “Our programs are now connected from the grassroots and Skipper Cup, through the Fijian Drua at Super Rugby, up to the FIJI Water Flying Fijians.” This interconnected framework aims to nurture talent and provide diverse opportunities for players across various levels.
The Skipper XV team consists of elite players selected from the domestic provincial competition, many of whom have emerged through Fiji Rugby’s development initiatives, including the Elite Player Pathway and the High-Performance Unit.
The team recently gathered at their training camp in Sigatoka in preparation for their match. They are scheduled to face the Fijian Drua on February 6th at Churchill Park in Lautoka, kicking off at 3 PM. This match not only signifies advancement in rugby development but also promises to offer an exciting spectacle for fans and players alike.
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