Set to take on Waratahs

Drua

THE Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will take on the Waratahs in their historic first match.

The away-match to the Waratahs will mark the Drua’s Super Rugby Pacific debut, fulfilling Fiji’s professional club rugby vision after 25 years.

The club has also today confirmed hosting at least one match in Fiji in 2022, and is evaluating prospects for another.

The Fijian Drua will face the Waratahs, Brumbies and Rebels twice, and the Reds, Force, Blues, Highlanders, Hurricanes, Moana Pasifika, Crusader and Chiefs once.

In a statement chief executive officer Brian Thorburn said they were excited to get the revised schedule confirmed so that they could get on to locking in their home matches and logistics for the first season.

“It’s still quite thrilling for us as we look forward to our Super Rugby debut. Naturally, we respect that ongoing border closures have necessitated the re-draw for our first season,” he said.

“The updated schedule to have Australian and NZ-based teams play local derbies until round 10 (starting on April 22) is the best possible option under the circumstances.”

He added that the Drua will play Waratahs away in its first match on Friday, February 18 with the venue to be confirmed by NSW Rugby.

“The Tahs have big names such as Wallabies captain Michael Hooper and Wallabies’ Angus Bell, Jake Gordon, Lachlan Swinton, and Izaia Perese. They have their own Fijian flavour as well with Mark Nawaqanitawase and Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco in their squad. So it’ll be a homecoming of sorts as well for these players of Fijian roots.”