SWIRE Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson has issued a strong challenge to his players, urging them to take greater ownership of their preparation and performances if they want to secure a place in the FIJI Water Flying Fijians squad for the upcoming Nations Championship, which kicks off in July.
Jackson highlighted this following the team’s disappointing 35-50 loss to the NSW Waratahs in Suva last Saturday.
There are 21 Fijian Drua players in the Flying Fijians extended squad.
Jackson admitted the Drua were outplayed in key moments during their Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Waratahs and stressed that improved consistency and professionalism will be critical heading into the international season.
The Drua have now slipped to 10th on the standings with 20 points and face another crucial challenge when they travel to Perth to meet the Western Force on Saturday night, before taking on the Queensland Reds on May 29 in Brisbane to wrap up the 2026 campaign.
“These guys need to put their hand up in preparation to perform at a high level,” Jackson said as he reflected on the players’ performance.
Turning to round one of the inaugural Nations Championship, which kicks off in Cardiff, the former Māori All Blacks flyhalf stressed that players must still prove themselves during the remainder of the Super Rugby season to earn a place in the final Flying Fijians squad.
Jackson believes the current performances of the Drua will play a major role in shaping Fiji’s preparations for the historic Nations Championship campaign. He called on his squad to respond positively in the coming weeks and build momentum before the international window begins.
The Flying Fijians open their first-ever Nations Championship campaign against Wales in Cardiff on July 4 before taking on England in Liverpool on July 11 and Scotland in Edinburgh on July 18.
