Fijian Drua announce new coaching group
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Fijian Drua announce new coaching group
Nadi, Fiji:The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua have locked in their coaching and performance group for upcoming Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific seasons, featuring former Flying Fijian legends and elite international coaches.
For the first time, Fijian coaches from the Fiji Rugby coaching pathways have been added to the Assistant Coach ranks.
Joining Head Coach Brad Mooar and Senior Assistant Coach Mike Catt are five new additions: Ifereimi Rawaqa (Forwards Coach), Campese Ma’afu (Scrum Coach), Alando Soakai (Defence Coach), Dr. Dale Thomas (Clinical & Performance Psychologist Coach), and Luke Vasu (Head of Athletic Performance).
The addition of former Flying Fijians Rawaqa and Ma’afu is further proof of the Fijian Drua delivering on one of its key objectives -developing homegrown talent to lead at the highest levels of professional rugby.
Reflecting on the new appointments, Head Coach Brad Mooar said he is incredibly proud and humbled by the quality of the coaching and performance team they have formed to take the Drua into the future. He noted that first and foremost, "Tuif, Mike, Alando, Campese, Dale & Luke are all top-quality people of the highest character who are passionate about what they can give to our Drua players & staff to help them grow."
Mooar highlighted that as hungry and curious learners, they are outstanding exponents of coaching and performance who bring world-class experiences from the cauldron of Test match rugby, World Cups, and competitions across both hemispheres.
"Each individual on their own is a powerful asset for us, however the real power will be in our collective group."
Mooar added that it is a foundational principle to help grow Fijian staff to lead the club forward, stating "so it is even more of a special time to recognise the achievements of Tuif, Campese and Luke to now be on board and showing us the way."
Fijian Drua CEO Jeff Miller emphasised that securing a coaching group of this calibre is a massive statement for the franchise as it enters its sixth season, combining global expertise with an authentic Fijian identity to create stronger connection in a complete high-performance environment, reinforced by dedicated clinical and performance psychology support to ensure the squad thrives mentally and emotionally under pressure both on and off the field.
Fiji Rugby Union CEO Koli Sewabu also welcomed the news on behalf of the national body, stating, "On behalf of Fiji Rugby, I want to acknowledge the CEO Jeff Miller and the Drua for their commitment to our development systems. The appointments of Ifereimi Rawaqa and Campese Ma’afu showcase exactly what the Drua pathway was built for—holistic growth."
Forwards Coach Ifereimi Rawaqa admitted he felt deeply honoured by the appointment, sharing that "As a local coach, it means a lot to have the opportunity to contribute to the Drua at this level. But I see it more as a responsibility than an achievement. There are a lot of talented local coaches coming through, and hopefully this opens the door and shows that there is a pathway for them too."
Fiji Rugby Union General Manager High-Performance and the Drua’s first Strength and Conditioning Coach, Naca Cawanibuka added his support, stating, "Truly welcome the appointment of Ifereimi Rawaqa and Campese Ma’afu as Assistant Coaches with the Drua, another positive step in strengthening the pathway for Fijian coaches into professional rugby. As former Flying Fijians they bring a wealth of international and professional playing experience into their coaching careers to share with the players, whilst embracing a great opportunity to gain experience themselves in a highly demanding high-performance environment and competition." Highlighting the journey of Head of Athletic Performance Luke Vasu, Cawanibuka noted: "Luke Vasu is a great example of a young aspiring Fijian. He trialled for Fiji U20s a decade ago, then chased an academic qualification in Sport Science. It's great to see the Drua engaging Fijian professionals who will add impact and influence into the program while inspiring other Fijians in the Coaching pathway to grow themselves. I'm confident Luke will contribute immensely to the program. Would like to thank the Drua for this great opportunity and strengthening the pathways."
Luke Vasu said, "I am truly excited and grateful for the opportunity to join the Drua vuvale. I’ve been fortunate to work in different environments, at different levels and countries. But to be able to return to Fiji and be able to contribute to the club's continued growth and success is something I am proud of but do not take for granted."
Coaching Profiles
Ifereimi Rawaqa - Forwards Coach
Ifereimi Rawaqa is a familiar face within the Drua environment, having joined the Club in 2023 as Skills and Development Coach and stepped up as interim Head Coach for the McDonald’s Fiji Drua women in 2025. Rawaqa has been in integral member of the Fijian Drua coaching staff. He led recruitment and managed the entire pathway for players contracted to Drua Development. He was instrumental in the set-up of the now known Drua Next Gen (formerly Drua Academy) programme through the Drua Foundation and was personally involved in the selection of the first ever Drua Next Gen Players in 2024/25.
A World Rugby Level 3 accredited coach, Rawaqa has built extensive coaching experience in Fiji since beginning his coaching journey with the Lautoka Under-20 side in 2013 before taking charge of the Lautoka senior team the following year.
He has also served as a coach with the Fijian Latui, Fijiana (interim) and Fiji Warriors and was Head Coach of the Fiji Under-20 side for the 2023 Oceania Rugby U20 Championship and World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.
Rawaqa also brings considerable international playing experience to the role. The former lock earned 44 Test caps for the Flying Fijians and represented Fiji at the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups. He was also a member of Fiji’s Rugby World Cup Sevens-winning side in 2005.
Campese Ma’afu - Scrum Coach
Former Flying Fijians prop Ma’afu joins the Drua coaching setup with a wealth of front-row experience from a professional playing career spanning more than a decade.
The Sydney-born loosehead prop earned 63 Test caps for Fiji and featured at three Rugby World Cups in 2011, 2015 and 2019 before retiring from international rugby following the 2019 tournament.
Ma’afu played professionally in Australia, Wales, England and France during his career, including stints with Cardiff Blues, Nottingham, Provence Rugby, Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers.
Since moving into coaching, Ma’afu has continued to develop his craft in Australia and has most recently been involved with the Fiji Under-20 programme. He was part of the coaching group for Fiji’s 2026 World Rugby U20 Championship campaign, bringing his considerable knowledge and experience of the front row and set piece to the country’s next generation of players.
Alando Soakai - Defence Coach
Soakai joins the Drua with an impressive coaching résumé across New Zealand, Japan and Super Rugby Pacific.
The former Highlanders and Otago loose forward was appointed Head Coach of the Wellington Lions in 2024 and guided the side to the Bunnings Warehouse NPC title in his first season in charge.
His success with Wellington earned him a move into Super Rugby Pacific with Moana Pasifika, where he served as Defence Coach.
Prior to returning to New Zealand, Soakai spent more than a decade with the Kubota Spears in Japan as both a player and coach. As part of the Spears coaching setup, he helped the Club secure its maiden Japan Rugby League One championship in the 2022-23 season. He also coached with the Japan National Development Squad in 2022.
As a player, Soakai made 58 Super Rugby appearances for the Highlanders between 2007 and 2011 and represented Otago and Southland at provincial level. He also represented the Junior All Blacks and was part of the New Zealand Sevens side which won gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
Dr. Dale Thomas – Clinical & Performance Psychologist Coach
Dr. Thomas joins the Drua as the Clinical & Performance Psychologist Coach, bringing extensive experience in clinical and performance psychology across elite international sport. A Doctor of Clinical Psychology and qualified sport psychologist, Thomas spent eight years with the Welsh Rugby Union, where he led clinical and performance psychology support across the national men’s, women’s and age-grade programmes. He has also worked with Great Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic programmes and supported athletes across several international sporting environments. His expertise spans mental wellbeing, performance under pressure, concussion and injury management, emotional regulation and career transition, bringing an integrated approach to supporting both the person and player.
Luke Vasu- Head of Athletic Performance
Originally from Suvavou and shares maternal links to Namara in Tailevu.
Luke Vasu is an experienced high-performance Head of Strength & Conditioning Coach holding an MSc. His elite professional rugby background spans multiple countries, including roles with the Toyota Shuttles Industries, Pearls Rugby in Japan, Hurricanes Poua in New Zealand, and the NSW Waratahs in Australia. He specialises in designing and delivering integrated physical preparation programs covering strength and power development, speed, GPS athlete monitoring, and return-to-play rehabilitation in close collaboration with coaching and medical staff
