THE appointment of former Flying Fijian forward Ifereimi Rawaqa as forwards coach of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua could prove to be as important for Fiji’s coaches as it is for the franchise’s forward pack.
Rawaqa’s elevation is being viewed by the Fiji Rugby Union as a significant step in its push to establish a structured pathway for local coaches to progress into the professional and international game.
FRU chief executive officer Koli Sewabu said the appointment was part of a wider alignment strategy between the union and the Drua, which was designed to develop not only players but also coaches and management personnel.
“On behalf of Fiji Rugby, I just wanted to acknowledge and thank Drua CEO Mark Evans, the coaches and the management team for their belief and their support in our coach development pathway,” Sewabu said.
“Especially for the appointment of Ifereimi and Campese Ma’afu (scrum coach) into the Drua set-up.”
For Rawaqa, the opportunity represents the progression of a coaching journey that has already taken him through the Fiji Warriors and the Drua development system.
But what makes his appointment significant is what he brings into the position.
A former Flying Fijian, Rawaqa has first-hand experience of international rugby and the demands placed on Fiji’s forwards at the highest level.
He also understands the local player.
That combination could prove valuable to a Drua side that continues to develop players from Fiji’s provincial and grassroots competitions into Super Rugby Pacific professionals.
As a coach, Rawaqa has been exposed to player development and high-performance environments, giving him an understanding of the transition required from raw Fijian talent to professional rugby.
His appointment also gives the Drua a local coach who understands the cultural and rugby context from which many of its players come.
Sewabu believes that is precisely what the Drua was created to facilitate.
“This is an alignment strategy and alignment piece that we’re working on and really showcases what Drua is originally built for — not only a pathway for our players but also a pathway for our coaches, our management,” he said.
That pathway, however, will only work if FRU and the Drua operate with a common purpose.
FRU owns a minority share of the Fijian Drua, making the relationship between the governing body and the professional franchise critical to Fiji’s long-term rugby development.
The Drua cannot simply be viewed as a Super Rugby team, while FRU cannot operate its development programmes separately from the country’s professional pathway.
The two must work cordially, share knowledge and align their systems so the pathway becomes seamless — from local rugby to the Drua and ultimately the Flying Fijians.
Sewabu said the union was working to ensure systems were put in place to support coaches as they progressed through the elite pathway.
But he also placed responsibility on the coaches themselves.
“It’s also important from a Fiji Rugby perspective that our coaches commit to their own personal and professional development growth,” he said.
“The system is here to provide them with further assistance when they start to go up the elite pathways.”
