Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson has announced that former captain Meli Derenalagi will be out of action for an extended period following a second knee reconstruction. Derenalagi recently underwent surgery, and Jackson confirmed that he is expected to be sidelined for approximately nine months as he begins his recovery.
“Meli had another surgery on his knee, so he’s essentially had two knee reconstructions,” Jackson explained. “He’s in the building with us, and it’s our goal to get him back on the field as fast as we can, but he is unfortunately out for nine months. We’ll do as much as we can to get him back to full fitness and reassess from there.”
Despite his contract expiring at the end of the year, Jackson reassured fans that the Drua organization is committed to supporting Derenalagi through his rehabilitation process. “What we do in this club is that Meli’s getting looked after,” he stated, emphasizing that the team will ensure he receives the necessary care and attention during his recovery.
Derenalagi, an Olympic gold medalist with the Fiji 7s team, has played a vital role for the Drua since their inaugural season in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific league in 2022. His leadership and contributions have been instrumental, and the team will feel his absence keenly as they move forward in the season.
This situation adds to the challenges faced by the Drua, who have already seen other players affected by injuries. In earlier matches this season, the team has had to adapt after losing key players, an experience that has fostered resilience and teamwork within the squad. Coach Jackson remains hopeful that, despite these setbacks, younger players will step up to fill the void and demonstrate their capabilities going forward.
As the Drua navigate through these injuries, the community’s support remains a critical factor in their pursuit of overcoming adversity and achieving success. With a focus on rehabilitation and teamwork, there is a positive outlook that the Drua will emerge stronger, ready to face future challenges in the competition.