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Rawaqa Sees Drua Coaching Role as a Responsibility, Not an Achievement

From FBC News · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

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  • Former Flying Fijians lock Ifereimi Rawaqa has become forwards coach of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua.
  • Rawaqa, who joined the club in 2023, has worked in player development, recruitment and coaching across Fiji.
  • He says the appointment carries responsibility and could show other local coaches that a pathway exists.

Ifereimi Rawaqa does not describe his new role with the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua as a personal triumph. The former Flying Fijians lock calls it a responsibility, with the chance to contribute to the club and help develop Fiji’s next generation of coaches.

“I’m really humbled and honoured. As a local coach, it means a lot to have the opportunity to contribute to the Drua at this level. But I see it more as a responsibility than an achievement,” Rawaqa said.

Rawaqa joined the Drua in 2023 as skills and development coach. He later served as interim head coach of the McDonald’s Fijian Drua Women. He has also overseen recruitment, managed players contracted to Drua Development and helped establish the Drua Next Gen programme through the Drua Foundation. He helped select the programme’s first group of players for the 2024/25 intake.

I’m really humbled and honoured. As a local coach, it means a lot to have the opportunity to contribute to the Drua at this level. But I see it more as a responsibility than an achievement.

— Ifereimi RawaqaRawaqa described his appointment as the Drua’s forwards coach.

The World Rugby Level 3 accredited coach began with the Lautoka Under-20 side in 2013. He later coached Lautoka’s senior team and held roles with the Fijian Latui, Fijiana and Fiji Warriors. He led Fiji Under-20 at the 2023 Oceania Rugby U20 Championship and the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.

His playing career also adds international experience to the Drua staff. Rawaqa won 44 Test caps for the Flying Fijians and appeared at the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups. He was part of Fiji’s Rugby World Cup Sevens-winning team in 2005.

“There are a lot of talented local coaches coming through and hopefully this shows that there is a pathway for them too,” he said. Rawaqa said he would learn from the experienced coaches around him while bringing his understanding of Fiji’s players and rugby to the role.

There are a lot of talented local coaches coming through and hopefully this shows that there is a pathway for them too.

— Ifereimi RawaqaHe said his appointment could encourage other local coaches.
About this summary

Originally published by FBC News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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