NADROGA rugby team head coach Esala Nauga and trainer Tikiko Namaua have joined the Fiji Airways Fiji Drua coaching team in preparation towards the National Rugby Championship.
The two Nadroga rugby legends have carried the provincial name on their shoulders for the past 30 years on and off the field of play during provincial rugby competitions and they’ve extended their knowledge to the Drua team preparation towards the NRC.
Nauga, who was a second five-eight for Nadroga back in the 90s with players such as former Wallaby Ilivasi Tabua, Jonetani Waqa, Napolioni Vitau and Samu Vunaki.
Nauga said rugby was a sport where you learned every new thing after every match.
“To lift the standard of rugby in Fiji for local players is about sharing ideas, learning new things and trying to understand new patterns and grooming local talents to be recognised by national selectors or overseas clubs scouts,” said Nauga.
Meanwhile, Namaua said he aimed to groom local players to a standard expected by coaches.
“Rugby is a profession nowadays and we have many talents that can be professional rugby players and I’m willing to train and groom these young players so that they can be contracted and earn a living through rugby to support their families,” said Namaua.
Nauga and Namaua helped the Fiji Defence Force win the International Defence Rugby World Cup in England in 2015 beating former champion England.
