The transition of players from the local to professional environment is an important part of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua’s journey that needed collective understanding.
These were the sentiments of Fiji Rugby Union acting chief executive officer Koli Sewabu while commenting on the Drua’s outing in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific this season.
He said while winning is essential, it is also good to realise the factors that contribute greatly to their four-year journey in Super Rugby.
“It has been disappointing to all of us,” Sewabu said in relation to the Drua’s results this year.
“There’s certainly this very high expectation for them to perform but we also must respect the fact that the transition and movement and recruitment of players is all part of the journey.”
Sewabu also reiterated the core reasons why the Fijian franchise was established.
“The Drua was established purely to allow a pathway for us to be able to have majority of our local players and those who are willing to come back and represent Fiji, to get them to the next level and prepare them in a professional environment.
“So, while winning is important, it’s also to understand that we are getting our players to get used to that professional environment, getting them ready to fly our honours which is also important as part of their journey,” he added.
Since joining the competition in 2022, the Drua made the top 8 in 2023 and 2024.This year they finished at 10th after the regular season.
