A team consisting of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua players will play at the 2025 McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens in January.
The announcement was jointly made today by the Fijian Drua at the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast 7s organisers in Sigatoka today.
McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens Organising Committee Chairman Jay Whyte said they are absolutely thrilled, honoured and humbled to welcome Fiji’s first professional rugby franchise the Drua to be a part of the premier 7s tournament in the southern hemisphere.
“We look forward to seeing what our Drua boys can do going up against the best from Fiji and the world over the 3 days in January 2025 (16-18) here in Rugbytown,” Whyte said.
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Head Coach Glen Jackson said the Coral Coast 7s is a wonderful tournament and it’s great for them to be able to field a good Drua team in the competition.
“Fans attending the tournament will recognise some of their favourite Drua players participating alongside members of our Drua Development team who will be raring to give it a go,” Jackson said.
“It’s a chance to pit their skills, which is primarily in 15s rugby, against some of the most talented 7s players in the country,” he said.
“We’ll be there at tournament lending our support to this wonderful tournament, which exposes top rugby talents who then got to greater things in 7’s and 15’s rugby.”
“A huge thanks must go to Mark Evans who visited us during the 2024 tournament and was very receptive to our initial overture to have a Drua Sevens team participate in the 2025 McDonald’s Fiji’s Coral Coast Sevens.
“We also appreciate the support from newly appointed head coach Glen Jackson for allowing his squad to be a part of this history making chapter.
“The people of Fiji who absolutely love their Drua team as shown in the fact 55 per cent of the nation tune into watch them anytime, they are playing, this is the level of support they garner which is simply phenomenal.”
The McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens is the country’s most popular tournament, featuring the top local and visiting international teams and takes place from January 16-18 at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.
The event’s popularity is further amplified by the presence of internationally renowned rugby personalities and names. In past seasons, the tournament was attended by legends like Waisale Serevi, late Jonah Lomu, Rasta Rasivhenge, George Gregan, Bryan Habana and Dan Norton, among others. These names have also been enshrined in Sigatoka’s ‘Rugby Town Walk of Fame’.
