Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women’s vice captain Vani Arei anticipates a challenging Super W season ahead as they kick off their campaign tomorrow as defending champions.

The side faces last year’s losing finalist the Queensland Reds at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane at 3.35pm.

“We should expect a high intensity competition this season. Other teams in this Super W competition are aware of us and have been training very hard, so we should expect a tough competition this season,” Arei said.

She discovered her rugby talent in 2019 during her time with the Youth With a Mission program in Australia.

She began her career with Box Hill RC in Melbourne, later joining Melbourne Rebels in 2020 and Brisbane Sunnybank in 2021.

In 2022 she was drafted into the Queensland Reds extended squad and was offered a place in the Fijiana Drua squad where she opted to return home and fly the noble banner blue.

“I was with the Youth with a Mission program from 2019 and later found out that rugby was my God given talent. Taking that first step was the best decision I ever made. I aspired to be the first in my family to play rugby,” Arei mentioned.

“I’m grateful that we are here, and we help each other out.”

Arei commended the young players in the team for their impressive performance during training camp.

“The new players have really settled in and blended well with the senior players,” she added.

Vani dedicates her achievement to her parents – her dad Lasarusa Anatoga and mother Rosalia Ramatau.

She called on fans in Australia for their support ahead of Sunday’s match.

“I can’t wait for the support from Australia.”

Arei and Merewai Cumu will pair up in the mid-field tomorrow.