As the excitement builds for the prestigious Coral Coast Sevens Tournament, the Fijian Drua have unveiled an exciting squad for the tournament which boasts five capped Flying Fijians, a Rugby World Cup 7s winner, an Olympic Silver medallist and a Provincial champion.
The Drua 7’s team will be coached by an impressive trio of as Drua Development Coach Nemani Nadolo-Kuridrani joining forces with Fijian 7s legend Waisale Serevi as well as Drua stalwart and Tokyo Olympic Gold Medallist Ratu Meli Derenalagi.
The side is a blend of experience and emerging talent from the Drua Main Squad and Drua Development players, will be led by co-captain’s star forward Elia Canakaivata and former HSBC sevens superstar Joji Nasova.
Players from the Drua main squad are Isikeli Rabitu, Philip Baselala, Aisea Nawai, Kitione Salawa, Ilaisa Droasese and Maika Tuitubou. From the Drua development squad are Joweli Walevu, Kalioni Ratunabuabua, Pita Manamananaivalu, Meli Dreu and Bogi Kikau.
Another exciting addition to the squad is Simeli Karacia, part of the Malolo Rugby’s champion ‘Small Boys, Big Job’ squad who won the 2025 Skipper Cup.
Drua 7s Coach Nemani Nadolo-Kuridrani said:
“We’ve got a really balanced squad for the McDonald’s Fiji’s Coral Coast 7s. The likes of Meli Derenalagi as Assistant Coach and Waisale Serevi as Technical Advisor is great for our team. There’s a lot of experience there and I’m really excited about what we could do in this wonderful tournament.”
Last year the team made it to the semi-finals in their debut season. This year the team is in pool E with Japan SDS, British Army 7s (Great Britain) and Yaro Chiefs and will kick off their campaign against British Army 7s at 11.40am (FJT) on Thursday at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka.
Drua 7s Squad:
Elia Canakaivata (c), Joji Nasova, Isikeli Rabitu, Philip Baselala, Aisea Nawai, Kitione Salawa, Simeli Karacia, Joweli Walevu, Ilaisa Droasese, Maika Tuitubou, Kalioni Ratunabuabua, Pita Manamanaivalu, Meli Dreu, Bogi Kikau.
