The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua have named as star studded squad for the McDonald’s Fiji’s Coral Coast 7s featuring five capped Flying Fijians, a Rugby World Cup 7s winner, an Olympic Silver medallist and a Provincial champion.
The prestigious tournament is a big part of the Drua’s Sun Bell Pre-Season in preparation for the 2026 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season.
The Drua side will be coached by an impressive trio as Drua Development Coach Nemani Nadolo-Kuridrani joins forces with Fijian 7s legend Waisale Serevi as well as Drua stalwart and Tokyo Olympic Gold Medallist Ratu Meli Derenalagi.
The Drua 7s will be led by co-captains in Elia Canakaivata and powerful runner Joji Nasova.
Others in the squad include Drua main squad players Isikeli Rabitu, Philip Baselala, Aisea Nawai, Kitione Salawa, Ilaisa Droasese and Maika Tuitubou.
Drua Development players joining the squad are Joweli Walevu, Kalioni Ratunabuabua, Pita Manamananaivalu, Meli Dreu and Bogi Kikau.
Another exciting addition to the squad is Simeli Karacia, part of the Malolo Rugby’s champion ‘Small Boys, Big Job’ squad who won the 2025 Skipper Cup.
Drua 7s Coach Nemani Nadolo-Kuridrani says they have got a really balanced squad for the Coral Coast 7s.
Nadolo-Kuridrani says the likes of Meli Derenalagi as Assistant Coach and Waisale Serevi as Technical Advisor is great for their team.
He says there is a lot of experience there and he is really excited about what they could do in this wonderful tournament.
The Drua 7s made the semi-finals in their first appearance at the McDonald’s Fiji’s Coral Coast 7s in 2025.
They are in Pool E with Japan SDS, British Army 7s (Great Britain) and Yaro Chiefs.
The Drua will kick off their campaign against British Army 7s at 11.40am on Thursday at Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka.
Drua 7s Squad:
Elia Canakaivata (c), Joji Nasova, Isikeli Rabitu, Philip Baselala, Aisea Nawai, Kitione Salawa, Simeli Karacia, Joweli Walevu, Ilaisa Droasese, Maika Tuitubou, Kalioni Ratunabuabua, Pita Manamanaivalu, Meli Dreu, Bogi Kikau.
The Coral Coast 7s is from Thursday to Saturday at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.
