Former Flying Fijians first five-eighth Nicky Little recently visited the Fijian Drua’s base in Legalega, Nadi, receiving a warm welcome from the current squad and coaching staff. During his visit, Little admired the state-of-the-art facilities at the Drua, expressing his wish that such resources had been available during his playing career.

Little reunited with his former teammates, Kele Leawere and Ifereimi Rawaqa, both key players in the historic 2007 Rugby World Cup, where Fiji achieved a remarkable 38-34 victory against Wales. Reflecting on his experiences, Little remarked, “This is amazing. I wish we had this when I was younger,” emphasizing the importance of unity within a team.

Known for his exceptional kicking abilities, Little shared practical advice with the Drua fly-halves, stressing the need for effective ball movement from the forwards to faster backs and advocating for strategic kicking in play. He succinctly underscored the necessity of defensive tactics by stating, “And on defense, tackle your man. That’s it.”

In addition, Little highlighted the crucial support required from the local community for the Drua, praising the professionalism of local coaches like Rawaqa and Leawere. “They’re all professionals here. They know what they’re doing. We just need to keep supporting them as much as we can,” he affirmed.

Looking forward to the 2025 season, his message resonated with pride for the players donning the blue jersey, stating, “All our own guys are just proud to be the men who wear the blue.” He encouraged current players to give back to the rugby community, sharing their experiences and knowledge with younger generations.

The Fijian Drua is committed to fostering local talent, as demonstrated by their community-oriented pre-season training, including outreach initiatives in Kadavu. As they prepare for the upcoming Super Rugby season, the focus on unity and community engagement provides a hopeful outlook for their future success.

Little’s visit underscores the ongoing connection between past and present players, reinforcing the spirit of rugby in Fiji and highlighting the importance of teamwork, community support, and giving back, which are essential for inspiring future generations of athletes.