Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson has explained the reasoning behind Meli Derenalagi’s change in captaincy, stating that the decision was made to allow the star forward to concentrate fully on his performance.
Although Derenalagi captained the Drua last season, he remains an important figure within the squad despite not holding the leadership role this year. Jackson believes stepping away from the captaincy will enable him to elevate his game while still contributing significantly to the team.
“Dume has been incredible, and we had a great discussion about him not being captain this season. He has done so much for this team and for Fijian rugby, but we believe this change will allow him to become an even better player without the extra responsibility,” Jackson explained.
The coach also praised the new co-captains, Tevita Ikanivere and Frank Lomani, emphasizing that leadership within the squad has grown naturally. With a core group of experienced players now entering their fourth season, Jackson is confident the team has the balance needed to compete at the highest level.
The Swire Shipping Drua will kick off their 2025 Shop and Save Super Rugby Pacific campaign against the Brumbies this Saturday at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. The match will be broadcast live on FBC Sports.