FORMER New Zealand All Blacks great and centre Eroni Clarke has commended the Fijian Drua for its upward progression since it began, as the club now heads into its fifth season in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Times Sport caught up with Clarke at the launch of the competition in Auckland, New Zealand recently.
He highlighted the club’s early days during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they were based out of Lennox Hill in Australia and taking part in the National Rugby Championship and how it had progressed in an upward trajectory ever since along with Moana Pasifika.
“I’m so proud of the way the (Fijian) Drua and the Moana Pasifika have done in such a short time. I know the Drua has been successful in Australia and to see the Drua continue that through into Super Rugby was really, really important and also for Moana Pasifika,” Clarke said.
The former All Black, who also played for the Blues and Highlanders in Super Rugby, also mentioned how the Drua and Moana Pasifika’s growth aided the growing stock of players for the Flying Fijians, and the Samoan and Tongan national teams.
“It only leads to us having stronger (teams) for the Flying Fijians, stronger for the Ikale Tahi (Tonga) and also strong for Manu Samoa and the Southern Hemisphere,” he emphasised.
“It’s important that Fiji, Tonga and Samoa start to really come through and show them becoming a world power. And rugby in Fiji is doing so well so we’re pleased to see how Fiji are doing globally.”
Meanwhile, Clarke’s rugby prowess has also passed on to his son Caleb, who is also a current All Blacks winger and plays for the Blues as well.
As the Moana Pasifika and Drua meet in Lautoka this week, he has expressed his hopes of seeing both teams continue their rise in what he says is important for the future of the game.
Both teams face off at Churchill Park on Saturday at 3.30pm.
