Fijian Drua to play home matches in Australia for 2022 season

The Fijian Drua have confirmed that they will be playing their home matches in the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific in Australia.

The Fiji side will be joined by Moana Pasifika as they make their debut in the inaugural Super Rugby competition that also has five teams apiece from New Zealand - Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Highlanders and Hurricanes - and Australia - Brumbies, Rebels, Waratahs, Reds and Western Force).

Fiji Rugby chairman Conway Beg said the Covid restrictions has forced them to choose Australia as the home venue but is confident of taking the game to Fiji for the 2023 season.

“This was a difficult but necessary decision to ensure that our first season in Super Rugby was as disruption-free as possible in order to achieve our first season objectives.

“We need to give our team every opportunity for success, and the uncertainty around restriction-free travel between Fiji, Australia and New Zealand as early as February 2022 due to COVID-19 was just too great a risk.

"For this reason, the Fijian Drua will be based in Australia for the 2022 season, playing their home and away matches in Australia and New Zealand.

“Even though the Fijian Drua will not host a home match in Fiji next year, this remains a joyful day for Fijian rugby fans.

“It will most definitely be a sacrifice for our players, coaching staff and team management to be away from Fiji for the duration of the season, similar to the sacrifices by other Fijian teams to participate and succeed in other competitions.

“But everyone realises the massive opportunity Super Rugby Pacific presents for our players and for the future of our fifteens programme.”