ANZ and Drua renew partnership, prepares players for life beyond rugby

ANZ is helping Swire Shipping Fijian Drua players prepare for life after rugby through financial literacy programmes, including guidance on buying land, owning property and managing their finances.Speaking to fijivillage News during the renewal of the partnership between the Drua and ANZ at a signing ceremony this morning, ANZ Head of Centralised Lending, Financial Inclusion and Corporate Sustainability Sitiveni Marovia says the programmes are important as players will eventually retire from the game and need to consider what they have achieved during their playing career.Marovia says ANZ started the initiative with the Drua and has also delivered similar programmes for the Flying Fijians.

He says the programmes cover both the Drua men’s and women’s teams.

Meanwhile, ANZ Country Head of Commercial Banking Pacific Sohaib Mahmood says the renewed partnership with the Drua is expected to continue until the end of 2028.

Mahmood says the partnership goes beyond financial sponsorship, with ANZ looking at further ways to support the club, including working with its coaches and management.

He says ANZ also provides banking and financing services to support the Drua’s plans and initiatives.

Meanwhile, the countdown to the 2027 season has already begun.

The Drua will kick off their home campaign in Round 1 on February 13th against the Highlanders at Four R Stadium in Ba, with kick-off set for 3.30pm.

Their second home game will be played on February 27th against the Reds at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, also at 3.30pm.

In Round 6, the Drua will travel to Churchill Park in Lautoka to face the Blues on March 20th, with kick-off scheduled for 3.30pm.

In Round 9, the Drua will host the Western Force at Four R Stadium in Ba on April 10th, with kick-off set for 4.30pm.

They will then welcome the Hurricanes to HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on April 30th.

In Round 14, the Drua will take on the Brumbies at Churchill Park in Lautoka on May 15th, with kick-off scheduled for 3.30pm. The following week, they will return to Suva to face the Crusaders at HFC Bank Stadium on May 21st.

The Drua’s final home game of the season will take place in Round 16 on May 29th, when they host the Waratahs at Four R Stadium in Ba. Kick-off is set for 4.30pm.

The Drua’s away games begin in Round 2 on February 20th when they face the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium in Sydney at 7.30pm.

Their second away game will be against the Brumbies on March 6 at GIO Stadium in Canberra, with kick-off at 7.30pm.

In Round 5, on March 13, they will take on the Hurricanes in Wellington at 4.30pm 

According to the Drua, they will face the Reds in Round 7 on March 28 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, with kick-off at 3.10pm and they will then play the Highlanders in Christchurch on Sunday, April 4th, at 2pm.

In Round 10, the Drua will meet the Chiefs on April 16 at FMG Stadium Waikato, with kick-off at 7.30pm and they will face the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland on May 7.

The Drua will round off their away fixtures against the Waratahs in Round 17 on June 4 in Perth, with kick-off at 8pm.