The Swire Shipping Fiji Drua team is building excitement as it prepares for the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season, with a particular focus on pushing towards success for the 2026 campaign. Forwards coach Chris Gibbs has expressed a positive outlook regarding the team’s development in the pre-season, emphasizing a collective commitment to improvement throughout the organization.
“It’s been a really good shift here, and I think right through the organization you can see it, you can feel it that we are moving in the right direction,” Gibbs remarked. Despite the team still feeling the sting of their previous season’s performance, this disappointment has spurred the players to work harder and train with renewed fervor.
Gibbs highlighted the importance of approaching this pre-season with a refreshed mindset, stating, “The reflection part for us was around making sure we turn up to this pre-season heading into 2026 with a better mindset and attitude.” The focus in recent weeks has been on fostering this improvement, with trainers and players alike dedicated to enhancing both mental and physical aspects of the game.
Recognizing the critical nature of physicality in rugby, Gibbs noted the team’s training is evolving. “We’ve been combining our rugby skill work, but we’ve understood that there’s a lot more physical stuff that we need to be getting out of our boys,” he explained. He is ensuring that players are challenged physically, which has yielded promising results.
Looking forward, the Drua’s much-anticipated 2026 season opener is scheduled for February 14 at their home ground, Churchill Park in Lautoka, where they will take on Moana Pasifika. With a reinvigorated mindset and a commitment to hard work, the Fiji Drua is poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming season, showcasing their growth and determination on the field.