Jackson appointed as new Drua coach

Glen Jackson has been appointed as the Head Coach of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua.

The Drua Club says Jackson is currently the Drua Men’s Assistant Coach and he is a former leading international referee who officiated over 100 first-class fixtures and a Super Rugby Pacific fly-half for the Chiefs with 60 appearances over five years.

He was also recently an Assistant Coach for the Flying Fijians, including the impressive 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign.

Fijian Drua CEO Mark Evans says Jackson has already made a tremendous contribution to the Drua since their inception in 2022, and the Board is delighted to appoint Jackson to the role after a thorough process.

Evans says Jackson has wonderful ideas which will allow the Fijian Drua to have even greater success moving into the future, and his deep knowledge of the Fijian culture complemented by his insights and relationship with the players, staff and everyone in the Club assures continuity with Drua needs.

He says Jackson will officially take over once Mick Byrne takes up his Flying Fijians Head Coach role full-time at the end of the current Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

Jackson thanked Drua Chairman Brent Impey, the Board Directors and Management for their faith in him, and he is grateful, and humbled by the opportunity and the responsibility is not lost on him.

He says he has learnt a lot and is very passionate about the Fijian culture. Jackson says his time at the Flying Fijians and the Drua has shown him how powerful the Fijian culture, community and passion are in moulding good players and good people.

Jackson adds that he is very excited about the future of working with quality players and for the chance to develop leaders.

He says the Drua can change people’s lives, and rugby is our national sport.

He adds he is committed to ensuring Fiji continues to make a stand in Super Rugby Pacific, grows the game and sets a platform for the next generation.

Jackson has been appointed on a three-year contract.

The Drua will meet the Highlanders at 2.05pm Saturday in Dunedin.

Bio

Glen Jackson has a wealth of experience playing first-class rugby as a fly-half with top-level experience in New Zealand and the UK. He made 60 Super Rugby Pacific appearances for the Chiefs between 1999 – 2004, scoring 474 points.

Between 2004 – 2010, Jackson made 130 appearances for Saracens in Premiership Rugby, scoring 1505 points.

Jackson’s officiating career includes refereeing 32 Tests, 88 Super Rugby Pacific matches and 60 domestic New Zealand matches, including eight Ranfurly Shield fixtures.