2024 WILL SEE MELI DERENALAGI CAPTURE DRUA
The season captain of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua, Meli Derenalagi, is a talisman. This was revealed today.
He will serve as the campaign manager for the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific in 2024. The loose forward for the Flying Fijians has been a part of Fijian Drua since the club’s founding and has been a notable leader both on and off the field during the first two seasons.
“Meli is no stranger to the role having been the captain last season,” Swire Shipping Fijian Drua move Coach Mick Byrne stated. “We look forward to seeing him take on the challenge once again as we head into 2024 Super Rugby Pacific competition with seven crucial home games here in Fiji.” Meli is a young leader, so this is a learning process for him, but we have no doubt that he will develop even more. The leadership of Iosefo Masi, Tevita Ikanivere, and Mesake Doge will provide him with unwavering support. Both my coaching team and I have received tremendous support from this group of men.
Derenalagi participated in the Fiji 7s team that won the gold medal at the 2020 Olympics. He has made 19 appearances for the Drua since his debut in 2022 and made 5 appearances for the Flying Fijians during the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The 25-year-old, who has scored two tries in the Super Rugby Pacific league, won the 2023 Drua Try of the Year title following his game-winning try against the Hurricanes in the previous season.
In their trial match against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra, Derenalagi will take the lead for the Drua initially.