Queens of Drua nation Rugby success empowers young girls and women
editor@fijitimes.com.fj
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THE success of women’s rugby both in 7s and 15s is inspiring young girls and women to take up the sport. Gone are the days when women were ridiculed as they made their way onto the sports field.
Today, when the women represent our nation, we see huge support for them. The 7s and 15s teams have found their mojo, and they have captivated hearts, fame and honour.
On March 8th, the world celebrated International Women’s Day, and rugby has set the platform as far as empowering girls and women are concerned.
The bronze medal win in Tokyo 2020 and the historic Super W win last Saturday gifted fans some breathtaking moments. These wins have inspired and motivated many. Memories from the historic bronze medal win in Tokyo
A fluid Fijiana outfit defeated Team Great Britain to claim our first bronze medal in Olympic rugby 7s.
The Fijiana had hoped to emulate their male counterpart and win gold, but the bronze medal was a testament to their mental strength in adversity. At the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, the Fijiana finished eighth.
Coached by former England forwards player Chris Cracknell, the Fijiana beat USA 12-7 and Colombia 36-0, but the girls were thrashed by Australia 0-36.
In the medal play-offs, the Fijiana lost to Team Great Britain -26, and then lost to USA 7-12 and Spain 0-21.
Heading to the Tokyo Olympic Games, at the Oceania 7s in Townsville, the Fijiana finished third behind the champion Black Ferns and Australia with 15 points.
The Fijiana lost to Australia 17-31 and the Black Ferns (twice) 14-33 and 12-27, respectively, but beat the Oceania Barbarians 21-12 and 14-12, and then upset Australia 19-12.
Few rugby pundits had given the Fijiana any hope of winning silverware. However, the Fijiana wrote a new chapter in Fiji’s rugby history.
They narrowly lost to eventual champions the Black Ferns in extra-time of an epic semi-final, but went on to beat Great Britain 21-12 to finish third.
The Fijiana started slowly in pool play, as they lost to France 12-5. The likes of Vasiti Solikoviti, Sesenieli Donu, Rusila Nagasau, Reapi Ulunisau, Laisana Likuceva, Viniana Riwai, Ana Maria Naimasi, Raijieli Daveua, Ana Roqica, Lavena Cavuru, Alowesi Nakoci and Roela Radiniyavuni were finding their rhythm slowly.
Fijiana Drua
In the second pool match, Fiji created the biggest upset in pool play as they outclassed 2016 bronze medalists Canada 26-12.
This win showed that the Fijiana had the ability to beat big names in rugby. Brazil was last in pool play, and the Brazilians received a hiding as the Fijiana recorded a resounding win 41-5.
The Fijiana finished second in pool, and our girls played against defending 2016 champs Australia, whom they knocked out 14-12. Aloesi Nakoci struck first and pressure rugby was what the Fijiana applied and never gave the Olympic gold medalists any chance even at the breakdown.
After the scintillating win, the brave Fijiana fell short against the Black Ferns. They lost 17-22 in the thrilling semi-final. It was an exceptional performance against the Black Ferns by the Fijiana who led 7-5 at half-time.
Finally, Team GB’s women’s 7s team was beaten to an Olympic Games bronze medal by a fabulous Fijiana side. The emotions could not have been more contrasting, as the Fijiana celebrated Fiji’s first female Olympic podium. The Fijiana was worthy 21-12 winners.
Alowesi Nakoci scored two first-half tries, and Reapi Ulunisau added a breakaway score after half-time. GB battled valiantly and put the Fijiana under pressure in front of their post, but the Fijiana was too good, particularly Nakoci who was lethal every time she got the ball.
The girls deserved the reward, as they achieved what few predicted before the tournament kicked off. The explosive and courageous Fijiana 7s stole hearts.
Fijiana Drua writes history in Super W Rugby
Fijiana Drua lock Jade Coates hit the nail with her post-match interview when she stated that: “It is more than just a game to these girls. It is years of hard work, sacrifice.
“This is history for us and a day we’ll never forget. Its created a pathway for girls and women playing rugby. We played for past players, present, future players and our supporters.
“This is the start of something and we’ll only go up from here”.
According to The Guardian, the Fijiana Drua capped off their unbeaten season with the historic comeback win over the Waratahs.
The Fijiana sensationally ended the Waratahs long reign of dominance, capping their unbeaten debut season by winning the Super W rugby title with a 32-26 comeback victory at AAMI Park.
When Captain Cook spent time in Fiji in 1774, he and his crew were astounded by the ‘drua’- double-hulled boats that were then some of the most advanced sea vessels in the world.
Elegant in their simplicity, they were created by binding together buabua trees and magimagi or coconut fibres.
Over time, this shipbuilding genius went into decline, but nearly 250 years later Fijians re-emerged as the world’s best not in the water this time, but on the rugby field. Now in 2022 the ancient trailblazers made a massive statement, courtesy of the Fijiana Drua’s debut in the women’s Super W competition.
The Drua swept their Australian opponents in their inaugural Super W, playing a brand of entertaining, exciting and thrilling rugby that made their pioneering ancestors weep with pleasure.
They beat the Waratahs - a well-resourced outfit and the imposing powerhouse of the Super W competition.
The Waratahs had been undefeated since its inception, but their five-year winning streak was brutally ended by the Drua 29-10, with one bewildered rugby commentator exclaiming, “this is electric, this is fantastic. I can’t keep up”.
The Fijiana’s giant-killing feats provided unbridled joy for patient fans.
The Drua’s rugby had been breathtaking across all facets of the game — high-level conditioning, physical defence, laser-like passing, instinctive and intuitive support play, slick running and clinical finishing.
After their games, the players sang hymns.
The impact in Fiji has been profound, according to Fiji Rugby Union Women’s Development
manager Vela Naucukidi, who said: “Their games are live on TV here in Fiji every weekend, and it’s just amazing. It helps us who are actually working on the ground trying to develop women’s rugby in Fiji.”
The Fijiana, a late inclusion in Super W amid the challenges caused by COVID-19, caused an explosion in women’s rugby in Fiji. The Drua outpaced the Waratahs in the torrid contest.
Vitalina Naikore, who crossed the opposition try-line thrice, Roela Radiniyavuni, Kolora Lomani, and Timaima Ravisa’s longrange effort, featuring a neat sliding stop to avoid her opposite number, gave the Drua the lead, and the 32-26 victory was clinched, sparking joyous singing in the stands and on the field after the full-time whistle. Bravo! Bright future for women’s rugby Women’s rugby is here to stay. Interest in the sport has improved, and girls and women are no longer shy from donning their rugby boots, attending training and playing competitive 7s or 15s rugby.
The transition has taken time, but the results are unfolding.
My dad Ram Lingam is a big fan of the Fijiana and his favourite player is Sereima Leweniqila. He was basking in glory as the Fijiana celebrated the epic win over the Waratahs.
Like him, there are many who adore and fan the Fijiana and their success in Super W brought delight and joy to our beloved Fiji.
Our women rugby players have lived in the shadows of the success of the men’s rugby teams, and time has eventually come when they can proudly showcase their silverware, and for this I give credit to FRU and its partners and corporate sponsors who worked round the clock to promote women in rugby.
Our rugby coaches Saiasi Fuli and Senirusi Seruvakula, and the women development officers are commended for standing tall and delivering phenomenal results.
The introduction of the Marama Championship alongside the men’s competition has unveiled and unearthed young and aspiring talents who are capable of donning the national jumper.
May I wish our women rugby players every bit of success! is a regular contributor to this newspaper. The views expressed are his and not of this newspaper.