Super debut
47 days to historic first clash against Waratahs
THE countdown continues into the new year for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua team before they make their debut in the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific competition.
The Fijian Super Rugby franchise is 47 days away from its scheduled first match on February 18 against the Waratahs at a venue yet to be decided.
The team, after its formation last year, is in camp in Australia and continues preparation despite ongoing global threats of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Fijian Drua chief executive officer Brian Thorburn is adamant that the team will live up to the expectation of the international rugby public.
“It’s still quite thrilling for us as we look forward to our Super Rugby debut,” Thorburn said.
“We now play the Waratahs away in our first match on Friday, February 18, with the venue to be confirmed by NSW Rugby “We look forward to showcasing Fiji.” Thorburn said discussions were ongoing with the competition’s counterparts to bring some of the Fijian Drua’s matches to
Fiji during the coming season.
Thorburn said the Waratahs had been preparing well for the 2022 season which included newcomers Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua. He said they had been evaluating prospects of hosting some matches in Fiji, possibly against the Force in Round 5 on March 19, the
Highlanders in Round 11 on April 30, or the Chiefs in Round 15 on May 27.
“Border restrictions and other commercial considerations will be a factor.”
Fijian Drua 2022 fixtures: Round 1: Feb 18: v Waratahs, R2: Feb 26: v Brumbies, R3: March 4: v Rebels, R4: March 12 v Reds, R5: March 19 v Force, R6: March 25 v Rebels, R7: April 1 v Waratahs, R8: April 9: v Brumbies, R9: April 15-16 - Bye, R10 - Super Round: April 23 v Blues, R11: April 30 v Highlanders, R12: May 8 v Hurricanes, R13: May 14 v Moana Pasifika, R14: May 30 v Crusaders, R15: May 27 v Chiefs.