Drua’s Debut Home Match, A Historic Moment: Thorburn

The Drua Experience today was worth every dollar. At a price of $450 per ticket, attendants were treated to an evening of drinks and entertainment.

The event was held an hour before the kick-off match between the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and SBS Bank Highlanders at the ANZ National Stadium, in Suva.

But it was more than just drinks and socializing.

For the first time after 25 years, finally Fijians received their rugby team Drua for the first time for their debut Super Rugby Pacific match at home.

The Drua (canoe) basically tells the story of the journey of iTaukei ancestors. Attendants were shown a short video that told of the importance of the Drua.

The Fijian drua or double-hulled canoes were the finest sea-going vessels ever designed and built by the natives of the Oceania.

Early Fijians sailed the seas on specifically designed Drua that can travel days and months carrying many people.

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua chief executive officer Brian Thorburn said this was an historic moment for Fiji.

A panel discussion featuring rugby legend Waisale Serevi, Sevens head coach Ben Gollings and Flying Fijians coach Vern Cotter.

The event was attended by Members of Parliament, diplomatic corps, business people, former national rugby reps and supporters.

Highlanders won 27-24.