The Men Behind The Fijiana Drua
The Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua are one game away from winning the Super W title.
The Bitila Tawake-captained side take on defending champions NSW Waratahs in the grandfinal at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Australia, at 4pm tomorrow.
The Fijiana Drua have proved critics wrong especially playing in the Super W competition for the first time.
While the players are being praised for their sterling performances, little has been said about the people who are working behind the team, mapping out their game plans and ensuring that our women are in tip top shape come game day.
Yes, the Fijiana Drua coaches, let’s take a look at these coaches.
HEAD COACH: Senirusi Seruvakula
He needs no introduction! As a World Rugby Level 3 accredited coach, Seruvakula guided the Fijian Drua to win the Australia National Rugby Championship (NRC) in 2018. For the first time the NRC title and the Horan- Little Shield were taken out of Australia.
He has an impressive record in the NRC, in 2019 he brought in a new-look side to the competition and lost narrowly in the semi-final.
Under Seruvakula’s guidance, players like Frank Lomani, Johnny Dyer, Albert Tuisue, Alivereti Veitokani, Mesulame Dolokoto, Veremalua Vugakoto, Luke Tagi, Tevita Ikanivere, Eroni Mawi, Eroni Sau and Mosese Voka made the Flying Fijians squad.
Others like Apisalome Vota and Peni Matawalu are playing for the Drua in the Super Rugby Pacific competition. They are joined by Veitokani, Ikanivere and Dolokoto.
Seruvakula, is also the Fijian Women’s head coach for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand at the end of the year.
ASSISTANT COACH: Mike Legge
He is a World Rugby Level 3 accredited coach, Level 2 New Zealand Rugby Developing Coaches and Australia Rugby Union Level 2 Coach Certification. Legge is the head coach (founder) of the New Zealand Schools 7s team.
The Auckland University of Technology graduate was also the Fijian Warriors and Fijian Under-20 assistant coach.
He is skilled in athlete development.
ASSISTANT COACH: Inoke Male
He is a former Flying Fijians No.8 and head coach. Male represented Fiji at the 1999 Rugby World Cup in France.
Locally, he coached Vatukoula to win the Fiji B Division and play in the Major Union in 2011. Male also coached Tailevu win and defend the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy.
In 2011, the Raralevu, Tailevu, native coached the Fijian Under-20 to a top six finish at the Junior World Championship.
Male identified Semi Radradra in Vanua Levu and brought him to play for Vatukoula where he further developed his rugby skills.
He also had a hand in helping Rupeni Caucaunibuca, reignite his rugby career.
Male was appointed the Flying Fijians head coach in 2012 and gave a young Nemani Nadolo, exposure to top level rugby and he never looked back.
Male coached the Flying Fijians to beat the Classic All Blacks 33-14 at the ANZ Stadium, Suva, in 2013. Later, that year he coached the Flying Fijians to win their first IRB Pacific Nations Cup.
