Fijiana Drua 'on trial' in Super W debut

Fijiana Drua coach Senirusi Seruvakula says their inclusion in this season's Super W is a "big step but a needed one" in the ultimate World Cup trial.

The Drua's relatively quiet entry into the now six-team tournament will begin against the Rebels at Melbourne's Endeavour Hills Rugby Club on Saturday.

There could be significantly more noise around them though if they bring their trial form to the contest, the side knocking off the Queensland Reds in their only official hit-out since arriving at their Gold Coast base last month.

Made up entirely of Fiji-based talent, the team's entry builds brilliantly into the World Cup in New Zealand later this year.

And it comes hot on the heels of Fiji's women's rugby sevens bronze medal at Tokyo.

That historic performance legitimised the rugby pathway for Fiji's young women and the feeling in the squad is that this side only reinforces that.

"It's a big step and one we've been preparing for for three years," Seruvakula, who coached the Fijian men's team in the now-defunct National Rugby Championship and is Fiji's national women's coach.

"We need this competition going into the World Cup, so we're very grateful.

"Training in a professional environment, it's what's needed to play at a standard above you.

"And it's like a trial at the same time; the coaches can clearly pick players for the World Cup."

The Waratahs will play the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday in a double-header before the corresponding Super Rugby Pacific clash.

The Reds will begin their season in Perth on Friday night in another double-header against a Force side unable to complete last season due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Ahead of the World Cup, Olympic champion Shannon Parry is back in the 15-a-side game for