The Fijian Drua will enter the 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s season with a formidable team stacked with an abundance of international talent.
The Drua were semi-finalists last season, going down to the Reds in Brisbane to bow out following an overall mixed campaign that included a win over eventual premiers NSW Waratahs.
Watch every second of the 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Women's season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
A raft of changes in the off-season will have them feel like a fresh start has arrived and as two-time champions previously, they’ll be a good chance for a third title in 2026.
Incoming coach Mike Legge takes the reins of the Drua side this season after more recently serving as interim coach of the national outfit Fijiana.
Legge’s experience already with the majority of the playing group will be a huge advantage for the Drua, along with a bulk of the squad having plenty of game time together in recent weeks.
Legge will be assisted by former Flying Fijians captain Kele Leawere and Tavaita Rokowati, while there are a host of further changes in the high performance department.
There are 14 new players in the group including World Cup representatives Manuqalo Komaitai, Verenaisi Ditavutu and Michella’e Stolz.
Keri Lawavou, Elesi Saukuru, Karalaini Naisewa, Tiana Robanakadavu, Zipporah Sorokacika, Bitila Tawake, Keleni Marawa, Selai Naliva, Alfreda Fisher, Carletta Yee, Karavaki Lutumaibau, Mereoni Nakesa, Nunia Daunimoala, Vilisi Tivalele, Salaseini Railumu, Manuqalo Komaitai, Sulita Waisega.
Evivi Senikarivi, Kolora Lomani, Imeri Nai, Salanieta Kinita, Varanisese Qoro, Josivini Naihamu, Merewairita Neivosa, Ruth Raketekete, Vika Nakacia, Vani Arei, Verenaisi Ditavutu, Atelaite Buna, Aqela Raitubu, Ivamere Nabura, Michella’e Stolz, Litiana Vueti, Repeka Tove.
There are a massive 18 players from the Drua squad who were part of the 2025 Rugby World Cup last September, while 19 of 23 players who played against the Wallaroos in March are part of the Drua squad.
The Fijiana side followed up the Wallaroos Test with matches against Manusina Samoa and Tonga, ensuring most of their players have had significant international game time leading into the competition and have built combinations.
The Drua report no major injury concerns leading into Round 1, although they are managing players who were part of their international games against the Wallaroos, Manusina and Tonga in March and April.
Josivini Neihamu. The 22-year-old made her Super Rugby Women’s debut in the first round of the 2025 season and went on to play in four matches. The midfielder is a powerhouse runner with ball in hand and is also a very strong defender, who showed those qualities during last year’s Rugby World Cup.
Winger Varanisese Qoro arrives to the Drua with plenty of potential, earning selection as one of the squad’s newest XVs players.
A former track athlete, Ooro became hooked in rugby in high school but didn’t pick up a ball properly until her school fielded a team in a local championship four years ago.
The 21-year-old from Sabeto, Nadi, will have competition around her for spots but could be spoken about for years to come.
Atelaite Buna. The superstar returns to Super W after lighting up the competition with six tries in 2024.
Buna is coming off an injury-ravaged 2025 and narrowly missed selection for the Rugby World Cup but be hungry to re-establish herself as one of the Drua’s premier players.
The 25-year-old has spent the past six months with the Fijiana 7s team on the HSBC World Series circuit but is eyeing off a long-term future in the XVs space.
“Our team has a good blend of youth and experience. They have been together for a number of weeks, many of them coming through the Fijiana XV Test series so have built some combinations. It is also a team built on resilience and we are looking forward to see what this team can do over the course of this competition.” – Drua coach Mike Legge
The Drua start their campaign against the Waratahs at Leichhardt Oval in a blockbuster season opener between two teams who have contested in three finals previously.
They'll then head home to host the Force and Brumbies before a roadtrip to Brisbane for a semi-final rematch with the Reds.
A final round bye will mean a three-week gap between their last game and the finals series kicking off in late July.
- Round 1 – Saturday 6 June: Waratahs v Drua at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney 2:05pm AEST / 4:05pm GMT)
- Round 2 – Saturday 13 June: Drua v Force at Churchill Park, Nadi (12:05pm AWST / 2:05pm AEST / 4:05pm GMT)
- Round 3 – Friday 19th June: Drua v Brumbies at Four R Stadium, Ba (2:05pm AEST / 4:05pm GMT)
- Round 4 – Saturday 27 June: Reds v Drua at Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane (2:05pm AEST / 4:05pm GMT)
- Round 5 – Bye
