The Fiji Rugby Union and Counter Ruck Pte Ltd have announced that the Super Rugby Pacific Club will now oversee the running of the Fijiana Drua Women team.
The team will be rebranded as the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women and will compete in Rugby Australia’s Super W competition.
The decision to hand over the management of the Drua Women to Counter Ruck Ltd comes after a thorough assessment and due diligence process.
The move is aimed at ensuring the needs of the defending champions are met. Under the new arrangement, the Drua Women will be fully administered by Counter Ruck Ltd and will have access to the Club’s training facility and specialised coaching staff.
The team will also benefit from the Club’s team management, logistics, welfare, and commercial functions.
The Chair of the Fiji Rugby Union Trust Board, Peter Mazey, expressed his support for the handover, stating that aligning the Drua Women with the Drua Men is in line with the structure of most Super Rugby Pacific sides.
He emphasised the importance of the Drua Women in the development pathway for the national team and expressed confidence in Counter Ruck’s ability to manage the team.
Mark Evans, CEO of Counter Ruck Limited and Fijian Drua, described the move as a historic day for the team and expressed gratitude to FRU for their cooperation throughout the process.
He also emphasised the importance of doing things right and outlined the next steps, including the appointment of coaching and management staff for the Drua Women.
Evans also highlighted the success of the “One Club” model for Super Rugby Pacific sides and assured that the Drua Women will benefit from the resources available.
He stressed the team’s aim for a three-peat in the Super W competition.
The Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women are set to begin their Super W campaign on Sunday, March 17, against the Queensland Reds at Brisbane Ballymore Stadium.
