Drua target away-game breakthrough

“Our away trips are actually four-hour flights and then getting somewhere. There’s plenty of things we’ve looked at as a team and as coaches to go how do we do it better?” 

Monday 09 February 2026 | 22:00

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua co-captain Frank Lomani

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua co-captain Frank Lomani during their gym session on February 9, 2026.

Photo: Fijian Drua

While teams playing the Fijian Drua at home find it a challenge to win, it is quite similar for them when they travel abroad. 

For the past three years, the Drua have not won any away games. However, they’ve slayed Super Rugby Pacific (SRP) giants like the Crusaders, Hurricanes, Chiefs, Reds and Waratahs at home. 

Speaking on the Devlin Sports Podcast Network (DSPN) Drua head coach Glen Jackson said they hope to change it this season. 

“Funnily enough people find it hard coming to Fiji because of the heat and the facilities and what not. We find it hard to go the other way because we’ve got nice hotels, great food, better beds, different stadiums,” Jackson told DSPN. 

“We have more challenges and I know it’s never an excuse because we love it. 

“Our away trips are actually four-hour flights and then getting somewhere. There’s plenty of things we’ve looked at as a team and as coaches to go how do we do it better?” 

Jackson added the Drua has grown since it joined the SRP five years ago. 

With SRP celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the Drua has had two quarterfinals in just their fifth year into the competition. 

The former international referee said funding was also an issue, however they have a great team of marketing and sponsorship led by Shane Hussein. 

“We’ve progressed as a squad and as players and an organisation around our sponsorship and our gear. 

“They’ve done a great job for our small group of men to put things together in the backfield. Shane (Hussein) got great sponsorship; New Balance have been awesome to come on board and we look good you know so that’s one good thing. 

“The boys feel good so we’re certainly wouldn’t say we’re short of what it looks like professional team.” 

Jackson told DSPN the Drua paid their own way for their pre-season match (against the Chiefs) despite having Fiji Airways as a sponsor. 

“I mean everyone wants to come to Fiji but clubs finding it hard at the moment to fund their own way. 

“Fiji Airways is one of our sponsors even though we still pay for it, they’ve come on board but yeah it’s unfortunate that we aren’t in the good old days where everyone could just go everywhere. It was really important to the club and the board.” 

He added the team made their own breakfast during their one-week stay in New Zealand to save costs. 

“We’re trying to save as much money as we can but it was a really important occasion for us to get out here and to go against the best.” 

Jackson hopes that the signing of the senior players including Temo Mayanavanua, Issak-Fines Leleiwasa and Manasa Mataele will boost their side especially breaking their winless jinx on their away games. 

The Drua faces Moana Pasifika in their SRP opener at Churchill Park, Lautoka, on Saturday. 



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