The Fiji Times

Paul hopes to follow sibling

“He is my biggest inspiration.” These were the words of Paul Dolokoto, the younger brother of Swire Shipping Fijian Drua prop Mesulame Dolokoto, while watching him play against the Reds last night. Paul, who is also a member of the Fiji Warriors side just returned from Samoa after winning the World Rugby Pacific Challenge. “He’s...

Tamani shines in final Drua home game

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua lock Joseva Tamani had a memorable last match in front of home fans scoring a try to seal a 41-17 win against the Reds to help secure his side a spot in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific playoffs. Tamani is set to leave the Drua at the end of...

Byrne, Drua reflects on historic finals berth

From the VFL to Fijian rugby, Mick Byrne rates his latest feat among the most special after the Drua earned a Super Rugby Pacific finals berth and dedicated it to the Australian coach’s late father. The Drua ran rampant in the second half on Saturday in Suva, scoring 24 unanswered points to beat the Queensland...

11,000km trip to watch Fijian Drua

Pablo Donvido and his mates travelled more than 11,000km from Argentina to Suva to watch the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua take on the Queensland Reds at the HFC Bank Stadium yesterday. “I have always loved watching rugby from when I was a child, and coming all this way to watch Fiji play is just amazing,”...

Electric atmosphere hits Vueta, cousins

“Electric” was how Kadavu lad Lasarusa Vueta described the atmosphere at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva yesterday. He said watching the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua take it to the Queensland Reds in the company of his cousins was nothing short of exhilarating. “It’s really fun and exciting watching our boys play, here at their...

Family travels early for match

The family members of Swire Shipping Fijian Drua player Kalaveti Ravouvou came out in numbers to watch their son play his last home game for the Nadi-based side as they beat the Reds 41-17 at the HFC Bank Stadium. Ravouvou’s uncle, Mesake Lalai said it was pleasing to see his nephew play his heart out...

Drua power | Derenalagi thanks fans for support

“They’ve played in mud for four months in a year and they just love it and I’ve seen it first-hand this year, driving across parks that don’t even have football fields so whatever the weather is, there is no exception.” These were the words of Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Mick Byrne as they...

Crusaders to host Drua in quarter-final match

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will take on defending champions the Crusaders next Saturday in Christchurch, New Zealand. The Meli Derenalagi captained side beat the Queensland Reds 41-17 in Suva yesterday to reach the Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinals for the first time. In other quarterfinal matches, the Blues will take on the Waratahs at 7:35pm...

Drua sails through | Fans live up to expectation

Cheers of victory and joy filled the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva last night as the final whistle was blown to confirm the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua’s spot in the quarterfinals of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition. The Mick Byrne coached side hammered the Reds 41-17, in a match that has catapulted...

Drua’s defining moment

Let’s take a look into the past games and replay all the memories of when the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua started its journey in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition. A combination of two modes of sea transport from the olden days when our ancestors use the waqa vakaviti also known as the...

Evans banks on fans

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua chief executive officer Mark Evans says Fijian Drua fans will play a very crucial role in determining their performance, when they take on the Reds in their last home game in Fiji of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season. The Drua currently has four wins in their five home...

Down to the wire as Drua ready for Reds

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua chief executive officer Mark Evans believes the Drua has come a long way since their inclusion in the Super Rugby competition. “To be able to reach the stage where we have a chance into the quarter-finals was probably an aim for us internally,” he said. “We thought to get to the...

Ma’afu rates Ikanivere

Former Fiji Water Flying Fijians prop Campese Ma’afu highly rates the young Swire Shipping Fijian Drua hooker, Tevita Ikanivere. Ma’afu said on Greg Clarke’s podcast that he knew Ikanivere was destined for greatness when he was part of the 2019 Rugby World Cup extended squad. “Back in the 2019 RWC preparations, I had a chat...

Kala’s top finish target

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua player Kalaveti Ravouvou hopes to finish off his last home game for the 2023 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season with a win against the Reds. Ravouvou, who will join the Bristol Bears after this season said he is grateful for the opportunity given to him by the staff and...

First for Tuqiri to watch Drua

Former Wallabies great Lote Tuqiri says he is excited to watch his first-ever Swire Shipping Fijian Drua game live and is expecting a quality display of rugby when the men in blue take on the Reds in their last home game here in Fiji at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. “Just from watching their...

Samo backs home side

Former Reds and Wallabies player Radike Samo is adamant that today’s Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific match between the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and Reds at the HFC Bank Stadium in Laucala Bay. “It’ll be a tough game for both sides as they will look for a spot in the play-offs,” said Samo. “I...

‘We’ll give it our all’ | Derenalagi upbeat about team

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua skipper Meli Derenalagi is adamant his teammates will give the Reds a good game today at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. It is their last match in the regular season and Derenalagi said the players were all ready and looking forward to it. “The boys are excited and emotional as...

Brace for another thrilling showdown

If you thought last weekend was full of drama and excitement in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific, well, strap yourselves in for a wild ride again this weekend. The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua are still in the race for a quarter-final spot by snatching defeat from the jaws of victory against Pacific brothers...

Drua done with recruitment for next season

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua is always on the look-out for overseas based Fijian qualified players. This according to Drua CEO Mark Evans. However, Evans while responding to questions during a press conference on Wednesday revealed that the Nadi based side was more or less done with their signings for next season. “We have pretty...

Development players set to join main squad

Six players from the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua development squad are expected to make the main squad for next season. Drua CEO Mark Evans revealed this during a press conference in Nadi on Wednesday. “Six guys who were in development this year are going to be in the main 37-member squad for next year,” he...

Harris: We need to get better

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua assistant coach Brad Harris believes the players should dominate in every aspect of the game when they take on the Reds in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific clash at the HFC Bank Stadium tomorrow. “We reviewed our performance against Moana Pasifika and looked at the areas we can get...

Masi creates history

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua outside centre Iosefo Masi created history last weekend by being the first Drua player to score three-tries in a single match against Moana Pasifika in Churchill Park, Lautoka. Assistant coach Brad Harris said the 25-year old had been fantastic for them in this year’s Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season....

Last-ditch gamble | New backline formation unleashed in must-win clash

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Mick Byrne has made a few positional changes to his starting line-up that will face the Reds tomorrow in their last regular season match of the 2023 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season. Outgoing inside centre Kalaveti Ravouvou moves to left wing while Teti Tela starts at inside...

Company extends sponsorship deal

The major sponsor of Fijian Drua side- Swire Shipping announced the extension of its support as exclusive naming rights sponsor for a further two years yesterday. According to Swire Shipping regional manager for Pacific Islands Alex Pattison said this partnership reinforces Swire Shipping’s longstanding commitment to the communities of Fiji and to aid the development...

Pressure mounts | Make-or-break moment for Fijian Drua in playoff push

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua side is focusing on what is within its control as it prepares for the much important clash against the Reds in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific this Saturday. Assistant coach Brad Harris said the team is not distracted by the pressure of losing out on a spot in...

Last game to be a cracker

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua players will need to back themselves up and play footy to fulfill their top 8 target from the start of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific this season. And that’s what the season plan from the coaches coming down on the pitch every day. With a good coaching staff,...

Derenalagi calls for Drua fans to come out in numbers

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua skipper Meli Derenalagi is calling out to the people of Fiji to come out in numbers and support the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua side when they take on the Reds in their last home game in Fiji this weekend. The Fijian Drua players will have another shot at qualifying for the...

Fijian Drua

Skipper commends brothers