Doge to share experiences with Drua

NEWLY recruited Swire Shipping Fijian Drua prop Mesake Doge will use his overseas experience to help the younger players in the team ahead of the 2023 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition.

Doge has sacrificed many lucrative overseas contracts to pursue his dream of representing the Flying Fijians at next year’s

Rugby World Cup in France by joining the team after spending several years in Europe.

The 29-year-old said there was a lot of talent in the Fijian Drua squad.

Doge said the only thing for him was to help them.

“I wish that this Fijian Drua team for the Super Rugby competition would have happened years before because it would have been a good experience for me,” he said.

“I always tell players that I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here and see this development.

“But I wish it was there back then. There are so many talented rugby players who have come through the ranks without proper facilities such as this through their training.”

The Fijian Drua set up a base camp in Voivoi, Legalega, Nadi which is worth $2 millon.

The base camp houses highperformance and recreational facilities for athletes, team management, offices for the coaches, and medical, analysis and welfare staff.

The Fijian Drua administration, commercial and operations personnel are also based there.

Doge said he was the only one in his family who has pursued a sporting career.

“All my sisters are civil servants,” he said.

“I’m the only one that has a sports career. I have come through the ranks of Fiji rugby.

“I never thought that I would become a professional rugby player to be honest. But the only thing about me is that I love working hard. I started an engineering course at the University of the South Pacific before I gave it up.

“Then the Fiji under-20 system came in. So I thought I could pursue a career in rugby. It was my dream and I’m here now so it has been a good journey.”