Experienced Nadroga forward and Fiji Water Flying Fijian Manueli Ratuniyarawa has earned a major opportunity to step up to professional rugby after signing with the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua ahead of the 2027 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season.
The powerful and versatile forward, who shares maternal links to Malake in Ra, becomes the first player from Korotogo in Nadroga to join the Drua, adding another proud chapter to a rugby journey that has taken him from village rugby to the Flying Fijians.
His rugby journey began after he was identified while playing village rugby and given an opportunity at provincial level.
Ratuniyarawa, who can play at lock and across the loose forwards, has spent several seasons representing the Nadroga Stallions in Fiji’s domestic competition and has also taken on leadership responsibilities as captain and co-captain.
The former Queen Victoria School student is also a graduate of the Fiji National University, where he achieved a Diploma in Wood Processing and Value Adding.
Ratuniyarawa says he is happy to be given the opportunity to join the Drua and is grateful to the coaches and management for believing in him.
The former police officer says he never dreamed that one day he would be here and have the opportunity to wear the Drua jersey.
Ratuniyarawa is also the first player from Korotogo to wear the Flying Fijians jersey, having achieved that milestone in 2020.
He first earned national recognition following impressive performances for Nadroga before being selected in the Flying Fijians squad for the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup in Europe.
He made his Test debut off the bench against Georgia at Murrayfield, contributing to Fiji’s 38–24 victory.
He was also selected for the World Barbarians XV that faced England in the same year.
Before making his mark in international 15s rugby, Ratuniyarawa was involved with the Fijian Men’s 7s programme in 2018 and 2019 and later featured during the 2023 Korea Tour.
He recently featured for Rugby Club Batumi, helping the side claim the 2025/26 Georgia Didi 10 Premier competition title.
Fijian Drua General Manager Rugby Baden Stephenson says the club is delighted to welcome Ratuniyarawa into the Drua vuvale.
Stephenson says Ratuniyarawa is a talented and hardworking player who has developed his game and is now demonstrating good leadership.
He says Ratuniyarawa brings plenty of physicality and a strong work ethic, and it is particularly pleasing to see another player perform and be rewarded out of Skipper Cup.
Stephenson says they are very excited to have Ratuniyarawa in their programme full-time and have confidence that he can not only represent the Drua but also make a strong impact.
