Drua set to name officials for Super Rugby assignment
THE Fijian Drua is expected to name the majority of its staff members by the end of this week.
Since the Fijian Drua received its Super Rugby license, former assistant and skills coach for the Wallabies, All Blacks, Japan and Scotland, Mick Byrne has been announced as the head coach while Nacanieli Cawanibuka as the team’s head of athletic performance. Fijian Drua interim chief executive officer Brian Thorburn said they were in the process of finalising the contracts.
“We have got another five or six positions that we are ready to appoint,” Thorburn said.
“It is about tying down the contracts and we will be ready to announce that before the week.”
Meanwhile 16 out of the 37 Fijia Drua squad members have been named.
They include Ratu Meli Derenalagi, Serupepeli Vularika, Meli Tuni, Vinaya Habosi, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Napolioni Bolaca, Tevita Ikanivere, Nemani Nagusa, Simione Kuruvoli, Onisi Ratave, Kalione Nasoko, Jone Koroiduadua, Ratu Peni Matawalu, Chris Minimbi, Raikabula Momoedonu and Kalaveti Ravouvou.
Majority of the players have started training ahead of the team’s departure to Australia.
“We are planning to get on the plane around October 15 or 16 at this point,” Thorburn said.
“We are now navigating all the quarantine and visa issues that surround that. We are satisfied with the progress that we have made. I just want to re-emphasis that the squad that we are building whilst it is young, but it is also incredibly exciting and there is a great blend of experience.”
“Bill Gadolo with the Fiji Rugby Academy, Simon Raiwalui through the Fiji Rugby high performance unit, John O’Connor and the Fiji Rugby board have been preparing many of these guys.
“There is a fantastic infrastructure with the Skipper Cup particularly which brought out many of these players as well as the national 7s program so we think that we are in good shape.”
The Super Rugby Pacific competition will kick off on February 18.The Fijian Drua will be based in Australia for the inaugural season.
You don’t get any bigger people than Ratu Meli, Napolioni and Nasoko ... they are fantastic players but they will have to adapt to the 15s environment
– Brian Thorburn