THE McDonald’s Fiji Drua Women celebrated another chapter in the club’s history at their Annual Presentation Night at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa on Tuesday night.
The glittering evening brought together players, staff members, partners and supporters to celebrate an unforgettable 2026 season where the Drua Women made 4th Grand Finals.
This year saw the Drua Women finish the regular season as Minor Premiers for only the second time and created history in bringing home the Super Rugby Women grand final.
The evening culminated with six prestigious awards presented to those who made an outstanding impact throughout the season.
The awards include the Punjas Community Champion Award, 2026 Encore Players’ Player of the Year Award, 2026 Mogul Fan Player of the Year Award, the Rooster Chicken Rookie of the Year Award, Fiji Airways Try of the Year Award and the McDonald’s Player of the Year Award.
While the McDonald’s Fiji Fijian Drua Women fell short of lifting the Super Rugby Women’s title, team manager Eleina McDonald believes the squad’s greatest victory came long before the grand final whistle. Reflecting on the club’s 2026 campaign, McDonald said the players underwent an extraordinary transformation during a demanding 13-week season that not only shaped them into grand finalists but also stronger women on and off the field.
“The Super W season has only been 13 weeks, and we knew it was going to be a short but very impactful season,” McDonald said.
“Thirteen weeks can go by very quickly when you’re driven to get results, but it’s been absolutely rewarding and absolutely amazing.”
The campaign began immediately after many players helped Fiji win the Oceania Women’s Championship before transitioning into the professional environment of the Drua franchise.
McDonald said the adjustment from representing the national side to joining a professional club demanded more than simply improving rugby skills.
“This is a team that came straight out of the Oceania Women’s Championship and into the Drua Club. They were moving from one environment to another, but always with the intention of progressing to the next level.”
She believes the players embraced the challenge and developed rapidly throughout the season.
“I can honestly say they’ve grown. They’ve become more confident, they’ve learned more about each other, and it’s made them a stronger team.”
Although the Drua’s fairytale run ended with defeat in the grand final, McDonald said reaching the championship match and hosting the final on home soil highlighted just how much the squad had achieved.
“It wasn’t the performance we wanted in the final, and the girls know that, but in 13 weeks they’ve managed to connect as rugby sisters.”
Fijian Drua CEO Jeff Miller acknowledged the girls for their tremendous effort and dedication to the club throughout the season and how they have created history for Fiji’s women in rugby.
“For the first time ever in the history of women in rugby in Fiji, these Drua girls have achieved a significant milestone on bringing to Fiji the Super Rugby Women grand final and I applaud them for that,” Miller said.
Head coach Mike Legge commends the girls for their endless effort, commitment, dedication and their courage throughout the season.
“I am massively proud of the girls. It is a really moving faith for us, not just for the Drua but for Fiji as well,” Legge said.
Team manager Eleina McDonald also urged rugby supporters to continue backing women’s sport, saying encouragement from fans was more valuable than anything else.
“Twenty years ago, we were just fighting to tell people we were girls who wanted to play rugby.
“Now these girls are showing everyone what women can do. Love the sport, support the athletes and support women’s rugby. It’s not about the money; it’s about the support.”
In an emotional message to her players, McDonald reminded them that their journey was only beginning.
“They’ve become more empowered and they need to know we’ll always have their backs.
“As long as they stay united, stay disciplined and live the Drua values of Discipline, Resilience, United and Attitude, they’ll accomplish everything they set out to achieve.”
