Skipper Select XV to Face Super Rugby’s Fijian Drua

In a landmark event for Fijian rugby, the nation’s top provincial talent will assemble as the ‘Skipper Select XV’ to challenge the professional might of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua on February 6th. This first-of-its-kind encounter, scheduled for Lautoka, placing the cream of domestic rugby against Fiji’s Super Rugby team.

The Select XV represents the pinnacle of Fiji’s robust development pathway. The squad is a potent mix of elite athletes identified through the Fiji Rugby High Performance Unit and standout homegrown stars from the Provincial Union systems. Crucially, the team is composed of graduates from the Elite Player Pathway, including players who have honed their skills representing the Sports World Fijian Under 20 and the Shop n Save Supermarket Fijian Warriors teams.

Mr. Koli Sewabu, Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Rugby Union, highlighted the strategic significance of the match, stating it is a key step in a fully integrated system. “All systems within the Fiji Rugby community are being strengthened and aligned,” Sewabu said. “Our programs are now connected from the grassroots and Skipper Cup, through the Fijian Drua at Super Rugby, up to the FIJI Water Flying Fijians.”

He framed the fixture as a critical proving ground. “These players in the Skipper Select XV are the best of Provincial Rugby, and this is their moment to prove their worth against a team that plays against some of the best in Super Rugby Pacific,” Sewabu shared. “We want our local-based players to experience that highest level, to feel what it’s like one tier above provincial rugby. This team provides that for each player called up.”

Mr Sewabu added that while this match is a first of its kind, there is also work in motion to hold a similar match concept for the development of women’s rugby.

Meanwhile the Skipper Select XV has now officially begun its campaign, marching into camp in Sigatoka today. With three weeks to build cohesion, Head Coach Rupeni Nasiga doesn’t mince his words about his team’s potential to provide a good challenge against our Super Rugby team.

“The team came into camp today in anticipation of the scheduled match against the Fijian Drua,” confirmed Nasiga. He noted that while this is the squad’s first assembly, preparation began long ago. Players selected from the top tiers of the 2025 Skipper Cup competition have been following individual training programs for weeks.

“The players that came together today have been doing their training at the High-Performance Unit centres around the country, and they look well-equipped at training today,” Nasiga observed.

Drawing a direct line to the Drua’s own origins, Nasiga backed his squad’s potential ahead of the scheduled match.

“There is nothing impossible for this brigade to ascend to the next level of Rugby. These men are capable of being signed up for professional contracts,” he stated.

“To be honest, the Fijian Drua when it started was mainly made up of players from the Skipper Competition. This is their chance to show they belong on that same stage.”

The Fijian Drua will head onto their first match of the Super Rugby Pacific following this match that will be held Prince Charles Park in Lautoka at 3pm.