While the Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua will be missing several key players in the Super W competition, former captain Sereima Leweniqila believes it will open the doors for other players to step up.
She added while the experience will be lost, the Fiji Rugby Union will need to develop players to fill in the gaps. Heading overseas to the Melbourne Rebels are Vika Matarugu and Jiowana Sauto, while the fleet-footed Roela Radiniyavuni moves to Japan.
Kolora Rosi Lomani and Merewalesi Rokouno are linked to National Rugby League clubs while Reijieli Uluinayau heads to New Zealand. Leweniqila is also lined up for a contract in Australia with the paperwork to be sort.
“Yes, it’s good for other players as well. FRU can work hard to develop other players and don’t leave that space,” the bank officer said. “Because we’re still developing, when one player leaves it takes a while for another player to fill in. It’s not like the men’s team where you have so much talent to choose from.
“With women’s rugby, we’re still growing and it takes a while to replace quality players – those players are specialists in their roles and it will take a while to get a good replacement.
“In a way it’s opening doors for other girls to step up.”
She said the exodus of players to clubs overseas showed that women’s rugby players were beginning to get noticed for their talent following last year’s Super W achievement and Women’s Rugby World Cup performance.
“One way we can look at it is that women’s rugby in Fiji is growing. Internationally, our players are being recognised and clubs are wanting us,” the 32-year-old said. “The second is that it’s a big loss. We aren’t able to retain our experienced players.
“Another reason players are venturing outside Fiji is because clubs are giving good contracts and they are paying us well. That’s one thing I’ve seen – they (clubs) are going to pay the girls well.
“I think that’s something the FRU can look into. I’m sure with the new CEO (Tevita Tuiloa) will try to work on it and pay the girls well. If you compare it to the men’s, there’s a very very big difference.”
As for her playing future, Leweniqila said she was no longer part of the Fijiana Drua and would wait to see if the overseas deal falls through.
“I got dropped. I spoke with interim coach Inoke Male and he had approached me again. But I told him I wanted time off to focus on work, recover and find my way back to the field.
“We’ll see how things go. If that contract comes through and if it’s good as my work contract than I’ll take it.”
