EDITORIAL: Drua Provides a Pathway for our Local-Based Reps So Don't Deny Them That

The Provincial Unions competition for the 2024 season starts this Saturday.

This involves all the Provincial Unions in the country who are affiliated with the Fiji Rugby Union.

The Major Union in the men’s competition is known as the Skipper Cup while the women’s is called the ANZ Marama Championship.

The B-Division involves the Vodafone Vanua Cup for the men’s while the women play for the Royal Tea Ranadi Cup.

For both divisions (Major and BDivision), the competition is in the senior men’s, women’s and Under-19.

Just like in 2022, the domestic competition is run in parallel with the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific and the Super W competitions.

Lautoka rugby players and officials with the Vanua Challenge Cup at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka, on September 30, 2023. Photo: FRU Media

However, they did not disappoint as they managed two wins- Melbourne Rebels and Moana Pasifika and a couple of close losses to- Queensland Reds, Western Force and Highlanders.

This was a feat the Sunwolves, Jaguares along with a few South African and Australia franchise clubs could not achieve in their first year of competition.

This saw the rise of local-based players like Vinaya Habosi, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Tevita Ikanivere, Jone Koroiduadua, Samu Tawake, Vilive Miramira, Meli Derenlagi, Peni Matawalu, Apisalome Vota, Tuidraki Samusauvodre, Kitione Salawa, Meli Tuni, Chris Minimbi, Napolioni Bolaca, Kitione Taliga, Timoci Sauvoli, Simione Kuruvoli, Rusiate Nasove and so.

Last season, they were joined by the likes of Elia Canakaivata, Iosefo Masi, Taniela Rakuro, Michael Naitokani, Livai Natave, Philip Baselala and Motikai Murray where the Drua went a step further by reaching the Super Rugby playoffs, in its second year.

Now, the onus is on the Drua management and FRU to ensure that local-based players are still given first preference to play for the Drua.

They should not be overlooked.

Even our overseas-based Under-20 players who have represented Fiji must first play in the local competition before they are considered for the Drua.

This should be applied to Australia and New Zealand based players as well who have not played in the local competition.

This should be facilitated by the High-Performance Unit.

This must be done because we’ve got to be fair to our local-based players who are the reason why rugby is alive in the country.

Also, the hard work and sacrifices made by the union officials, local coaches and team managers should not be in vain, as they want their players to go to the next level and be able to support their families from whatever they could earn from their rugby talents.

So, let’s keep promoting our local rugby talents by providing them this opportunity, which will not only benefit the sport but nation’s economy as a whole.

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj

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