It’s likely that majority of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua’s home matches in next season’s Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition will be played at Lautoka’s Churchill Park.

Speaking to SUNsports last Friday, Drua chief executive officer Mark Evans said this was a possibility.

“Unlikely to be all seven, but could be more than the originally intended three,” Evans said after he was asked on the possibility of staging all the seven matches in Lautoka since the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva is undergoing restoration works on its synthetic tracks.

The upgrade is set to encompass the removal of the existing eight-lane track lines, making way for the installation of an entirely new and advanced synthetic track system. The timeline for this upgrade aims for completion in the early months of 2024.

Questions sent to the Fiji Sport Council on Thursday were yet to be answered when this edition went to press.

Still negotiating 

Meanwhile, on the Fijian Drua franchise to own the Fijiana Drua in next season’s Super W competition, Evans says, they are still negotiating with Fiji Rugby Union.

The recent release of the Super W fixtures by Rugby Australia has seen a change of name from Fijiana Drua to Fijian Drua.

Questions sent to FRU interim Trustees chairman Peter Mazey last Thursday was yet to be answered when this edition went to press last night. The Fijiana Drua won the Super W championship in 2022 and 2023.

Coaching announcement

Evans also confirmed that they were going to announce today the replacement of assistant coach Brad Harris. Harris completed his contract with the Drua and was part of the Flying Fijians coaching team to the recent Rugby World Cup. He will be joining the Melbourne Rebels.

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj