Drua to train with Chiefs

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will take on the Chiefs in their pre-season match on January 30, 2026 in Hamilton, New Zealand. 

This was revealed by Drua head coach Glen Jackson who indicated they would fly over and train with the Chiefs for a week before they play against each other. Jackson has played 60 matches for the Chiefs from 1999- 2004. 

The Chiefs new head coach is Jono Gibbes and is the brother of the current Drua forwards coach Chris Gibbes. 

The Chiefs lost 12-16 to Crusaders in last season’s Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific final. 

Jackson said they are going to have a tough pre-season. 

“The players in the Flying Fijians are going to join us in January as they have to play three massive Test matches. They’ll need to rest when they return. It has been a long season and they have done well in the PNC (Pacific Nations Cup),” he said. 

Then on Friday, February 6, Drua takes on the Provincial Selection at Churchill Park in Lautoka. This will be their second pre-season game. 

Drua commercial general manager Shane Hussain has confirmed that there’s a smaller group going to Ovalau to be part of the Drua Foundation activities. 

“That’ll be good for us to get some people, some players on the ground in Ovalau. It’s a very important part of Fiji, and a small group will be there,” he added. 

Hussein indicated the Drua would be fielding a team in the McDonald’s Coral Coast 7s tournament, which is from January 15-17, 2026 at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.