Fijian Drua have announced the first five signings for their Super Rugby Pacific debut, including an Olympic gold medallist and three current internationals.
Fresh from his sevens triumph at Tokyo, utility back Napolioni Bolaca joins hooker Tevita Ikanivere, loose forward Nemani Nagusa, halfback Simione Kuruvoli and winger Onisi Ratave for the 2022 season.
Interim Fijian Drua chief executive Brian Thorburn is delighted to unveil the first signings.
"We're steaming ahead towards our historic first season and today's naming signals our intentions,” he says. “We are going to delight rugby fans with that typical Fijian flair and playing style.
"It also underscores our commitment to offer a pathway for Fijian players into Super Rugby. The competition is about to get a whole lot more exciting and we can't wait for rugby fans to see our Fijian Drua in action."
Fiji Rugby high performance general manager Simon Raiwalui says this announcement sets the foundation for what fans can expect from the full squad.
"All five players unveiled today are homegrown and have come through our Fijian sevens, age-group or high performance programmes," he says.
"It is wonderful to be able to reward these players with a professional contract to play in the world's best club rugby competition."
Bolaca, 24, was the top pointscorer in the 2019/20 world sevens series and the Olympic champion becomes the Fijian Drua's first-ever signing.
"The inclusion of Napolioni Bolaca [as the] Fijian Drua No.1 is well deserved," Thorburn says. "He exemplifies some of the key values of our club, and plays the game with pure joy and heart."
Veteran loose forward Nemani Nagusa joins the Drua after several years with Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne in France and Newcastle Falcons in the English Premiership.
The 33-year-old made his test debut in 2012 and Raiwalui said he will bring valuable international experience to a predominantly young squad.
"As a former sevens player, he possesses power and offload skills, and will be a valuable addition to the back row."
Tevita Ikanavire, 22, is a former Fiji U20 captain, who made his test debut against Georgia in November, and previously played for Fiji Warriors and the Drua in the Australian NRC.
Tailevu halfback Simione Kuruvoli, 22, also made his test debut against Georgia and held his own against All Blacks legend Aaron Smith during the first test against New Zealand in July.
Bay of Plenty winger Onisi Ratave, 29, has also signed on with the Drua, after making waves in his first appearances in New Zealand's NPC provincial competition.
The rising star was part of the extended Fijian sevens and 15s squads earlier this year, and has four tries in just three appearances for the Steamers.
Raiwalui says the Drua have a depth chart that includes about 100 players. Twenty-seven have been offered Drua contracts so far, with 20 of those already signing on the dotted line.
The franchise has been in a race against time to confirm their playing squad, after their Super Rugby licence was only confirmed at the end of August.
Raiwalui says the delay meant some prospective recruits ended up signing elsewhere, but no player has turned the Drua down, since they began offering contracts two weeks ago.
Thorburn says the squad will assemble in Australia on October 15 and spend two weeks in quarantine, before beginning their pre-season training at the start of November.
The Drua will reveal its inaugural coaching staff shortly, with further player announcements expected in coming weeks.
