Ifereimi Rawaqa has been named the interim head coach for the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women as they prepare for the 2025 Super Rugby Women campaign. Rawaqa, who currently serves as the men’s skills and development coach for the Fijian Drua, replaces Mosese Rauluni, who stepped down after the recent WXV competition in Dubai. The decision was made by the Drua organization alongside the Fiji Rugby Union.
Mark Evans, the chief executive officer of Fijian Drua, expressed gratitude for Rawaqa’s willingness to take on the interim role, emphasizing his reputation as one of the most respected coaches in Fiji and the wider region. Evans noted that Rawaqa’s leadership during this transitional period would enable a careful and thorough search for a permanent head coach for the women’s team.
In his comments, Rawaqa stated that it is an honor to lead the Drua Women for the upcoming Super W season, highlighting the season’s significance as part of Fiji’s preparations for the 2025 Rugby World Cup. He mentioned that one of his first goals is to collaborate with the assistant coaches and the Fiji Rugby Union’s high-performance team to enhance the squad’s depth.
Rawaqa acknowledged the Drua women’s impressive history in the Super W, having won the championship twice and made three consecutive grand finals. He confirmed that pre-season training would commence earlier this year, expressing enthusiasm for working with the players and coaching staff.
A seasoned figure in Fijian rugby, Rawaqa has an extensive background, including 44 Test caps as a Flying Fijian. He participated in the Rugby World Cups of 2003 and 2007 and was part of the victorious 2005 Rugby World Cup Sevens team. With a World Rugby Level 3 coaching accreditation, he began coaching in 2013 and has held various positions, including roles in talent development and coaching at various levels within Fiji’s rugby ecosystem. Most recently, he led the Fiji U20 team in 2023 during the Oceania competition and the U20 World Rugby Championship in South Africa, where they performed notably well.
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