Swire Shipping Fijian Drua co-captain Frank Lomani has praised the introduction of the Skipper Select team as a significant advancement in enhancing Fiji’s rugby pathway from domestic to professional levels. He emphasized that this initiative presents opportunities that he and many peers lacked in their formative years.
Ahead of the Skipper Select team’s debut, Lomani highlighted the longstanding struggle for players in the provincial competition to advance to higher honors. He expressed his appreciation for a program that fills the gap in opportunities for local talents. “It’s extremely tough to make a provincial side, but to now have a Skipper Select team is a big step forward. Full credit to FRU for identifying local talent and giving these players a platform to show what they can do,” he remarked.
Lomani also shared sentiments expressed by co-captain Temo Mayanavanua about the immense value of exposure that the Skipper Select team provides. The chance for players to train, prepare, and compete against established teams like the Drua is crucial for their development. Reflecting on his own experiences, he acknowledged that past pathways for aspiring athletes were limited, often requiring them to jump directly from club or provincial rugby into the Fiji Warriors or national team.
“When we were coming through, we never had this kind of opportunity. To have Skipper Cup players preparing and playing against the Drua is huge, and it’s the start of something really positive for Fijian rugby,” Lomani explained. He believes the experience gained will not only accelerate player growth but will also strengthen the national talent pool, opening more doors for grassroots players seeking to elevate their game to the professional level.
As the Skipper Select team gears up for its first match against the Drua, Lomani reiterated that the pathway for local players has expanded, creating a more defined link between domestic rugby and the elite levels of the sport. The Skipper Select will face off against the Drua in their second pre-season match, taking place at 4 PM tomorrow at Churchill Park in Lautoka. Fans can catch the live action on FBC Sports.
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