GLEN Jackson had one thing to say about selecting this week’s match-day 23: it was the hardest decision he and his fellow coaches had to make.
The head coach of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua named the team facing Moana Pasifika in round one of the 2026 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition this Saturday.
He said while the scenario of all players putting their hand up to play was a welcome sight, telling those who missed out on round one they would not don the jersey this week was even more difficult.
“Hardest that I’ve ever had to do,” Jackson told journalists during a press conference held in Nadi yesterday.
“It’s obvious everyone’s put their hand up to play, which is a really good problem to have but also not easy when you’re telling players that they are not going to put on the jersey for the first time, which then gives a bit of pressure on the boys that are out there.”
On Saturday, new signings Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Virimi Vakatawa, Manasa Mataele and co-captain Temo Mayanavanua will make their debut.
In imparting his point across, he added the players were then told of all players will have an opportunity to make appearances this season.
“We’ve talked to all the players around their understanding of how this is an 18-game season; opportunities will come for everyone.”
His revelation comes after months of off-season and pre-season training and two intensely contested pre-season trial matches in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand and in Lautoka recently.
In the span of time since the squad had delved further into refining their craft ahead of what is shaping to be an exciting yet even tougher season, the team for Saturday will see Jackson have a chance to witness what his players could showcase at home in front of what the Drua regards as “the world’s best fans.”
The Drua face Moana Pasifika at Churchill Park at 3.30pm.
