The Fijian Drua Development squad showcased their prowess with a commanding 45-14 victory over the Australian Fiji Rugby under-20 team at Churchill Park in Lautoka last Saturday. This match served as the opening act for the highly anticipated 2026 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific round one face-off between the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika.
Dressing in their away game jerseys, the Drua launched a strong offensive campaign right from the start, with Joji Nasova making the first breakthrough by crossing the try-line. The match, organized into four quarters of 20 minutes each, saw the Drua taking an early lead with a score of 14-7 by the end of the first quarter.
By halftime, the Drua extended their advantage to 21-14, with both teams contributing to the scoreboard. The second half saw the Drua further solidifying their lead, adding another 19 points in the third quarter and maintaining their dominance to finalize the match with an impressive score.
The development squad featured 12 players, bolstered by contributions from experienced members of the main Swire Shipping-sponsored team. Under the leadership of captain Harold Rounds, with vice-captain Inia Tabuavou from the senior squad assisting, the team demonstrated exceptional skill. Noteworthy inclusions in the roster were Drua Academy players Daris Khan and Jeremaia Teka, along with senior players Philips Baselala, Vilive Miramira, Joji Nasova, and Kavaia Tagivetaua.
In contrast to the development team’s success, the main match that followed saw the Fijian Drua fall to Moana Pasifika, losing 26-40. Despite the setback, the impressive performance of the development squad underscores the depth of talent within Fijian rugby and offers a promising glimpse into the future of the sport in the region.