The Fijiana Drua will run onto Suncorp Stadium against the Reds tomorrow attired in Rooster Chicken branded playing kits after the Ba-based poultry grower and processor signed on as the side’s sponsors, taking on the side’s naming rights for the remainder of their Super W outing this season.
A component of the sponsorship, in-kind, will go towards the Fijiana’s preparation for the Rugby World Cup.
“We at the Rugby House are extremely grateful to the team at Rooster Chicken for their belief in women’s rugby and trusting Fiji Rugby through their sponsorship,” FRU CEO JOhn O’Conor said.
Rooster Poultry General Manager Stanley Raniga stated that they are extremely happy to support “a very strong team” and hopes that their sponsorship “will empower women to further excel in the competition.”
The sponsorship means the Fijiana Drua will be known as the Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua. Rooster Chicken was also part of the companies that backed the Flying Fijians during the two-match series against the All Blacks in July last year.
Meanwhile, Fijiana Drua coach Senirusi Seruvakula has made a number of changes including positional to his line-up that won over Rebels 66-5 last weekend for their game against the Reds in Brisbane tomorrow, among these, moving captain Bitila Tawake from the base of the scrum to the front row.
Tawake starts at loosehead prop in place of Vika Matarugu who moves to hooker. Last week’s hooker Jiowana Sautu moved to flanker to replace Sereima Leweniqila who moves to No.8. In the backline, Reijeli Uluinayau gets her first start at scrumhalf after featuring from the bench last week. Seruvakula has opted for a new midfield combo of Vani Ari and Saracens winger Raijeli Laqeretabua, both of whom are making their Super W debut.
The Drua had beaten the Reds 34-20 in a pre-season match last month. The Fijiana Drua are left to play Western Force, Waratahs and Brumbies in the Super W.
