The Fijian Drua has been boosted by FJD$2.7 million for their Super Rugby starting from its debut on February 18.

The sponsorship and the continued partnership with PacificAus Sports was announced by Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Zed Seselja, at Albert Park, Suva yesterday.

“Our support for the Fijian Drua is very practical example of Fiji and Australia’s vuvale partnership formalised in 2019,” Seselja said.

“Australia and Fiji are bound together by our geography, our history, our religious traditions and our passion for sport,” he said.

“We want to see the talent showcased by Fiji in their Gold medal-winning rugby 7s performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics more regularly on display to the world,” Minister Seselja said.

“Backing Fiji goes to the heart of Australia’s Pacific Step-up bringing our people together to succeed and thrive.”

“PacificAus Sports support to the Fijian Drua is our way of showing that we understand what it means to be a true partner with Fiji.”

Fijian Drua interim Chief Executive Ofiicer Brian Thorburn said the Australian Government’s support benefits the Drua in a variety of ways for their maiden voyage into the world’s best provincial Rugby competition.

“The financial contribution through the sponsorship is very welcome, providing a very significant component of our funding mix.”

“And I’d like to thank Senator Zed Seselja and Australia’s High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes and the DFAT team,” Thorburn said.

“We’ve designed a Jersey which will be released tomorrow (today).”

“When we unveil the Drua jersery, you will see that the PacificAus sport logo on the shoulders of the jersey left and right in the back of the jersey, to reflect the commitment made by PacificAus sport provide appropriate acknowledgement of that contribution.”

“So we couldn’t have said we’re going to join the Super Rugby competition without the support from the Australian Government.”

Thorburn indicated that the Drua will have two warm up games before the kickoff and “One of them is planned on January 28 which will be played at South Queensland and the other on February 10 at Victoria.”

The team to play on the mentioned dates will be finalised once the agreed terms and consent are done.

Meanwhile Fiji Drua will play their home games on seven different venues.

Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj