Former Flying Fijians first five-eighth Nicky Little made an inspiring visit to the Fijian Drua’s base in Legalega, Nadi, where he engaged with the squad and officials. Little was warmly welcomed and reflected on his wish for such facilities to have existed during his playing days. He cherished his reunion with former teammates Kele Leawere and Ifereimi Rawaqa, with whom he made history in the 2007 Rugby World Cup by defeating Wales 38-34 in a memorable match.
Expressing his admiration for the Drua’s modern headquarters, Little noted, “This is amazing. I wish we had this when I was younger.” He applauded the effort to foster unity among players, drawing parallels between the camaraderie of the past and the current abundance of resources, stating, “But here you got the unity of having lots, it’s really good.”
Renowned for his excellent kicking skills, Little shared valuable advice with the current Drua fly-halves, emphasizing the importance of getting the ball from forwards to agile backs and the need for effective defensive strategies. He stressed the significance of unwavering local support for the home Super Rugby team and recognized the contributions of local coaches like Rawaqa and Leawere.
Little’s message for the Drua team ahead of the 2025 season was one of collective pride and support: “All our own guys are just proud to be the men who wear the blue.” He highlighted the importance of giving back to the community and emphasized that former players should not only enjoy their careers but also share their experiences to inspire the next generation of athletes.
In the broader context of the Fijian Drua’s commitment to community unity, their pre-season training camp on Kadavu has further demonstrated their dedication to building team spirit through community engagement. This camp not only aims to enhance player relationships through shared activities but also reflects the club’s desire to nurture local talent and foster connections with young aspiring athletes.
As the Drua prepares for the challenges of the upcoming Super Rugby season, nurturing strong community bonds alongside developing a cohesive team spirit sets a promising outlook for success in 2025 and beyond.
This inspiring narrative underscores the interconnectedness of sports, community, and personal development, highlighting the valuable lessons shared across generations of rugby players in Fiji.
Leave a comment