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Mark Evans aiming to use new role to bring top class rugby to Fiji

Fijian Drua (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Mark Evans, the new Swire Shipping Fijian Drua chief executive, is planning to change the face of rugby in Fiji by staging six matches in the island nation.

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Getting top class teams to travel to Fiji has been a recurring problem but Evans, who held similar roles with the Western Force, Global Rapid Rugby, Melbourne Storm, Harlequins and was Director of Rugby at Saracens, is confident the six matches will mark a significant moment for rugby in Fiji.

Evans, who was appointed to the Super Rugby Pacific franchise last month, has arrived in Fiji shortly after the opening of the Drua’s $2m state-of-the-art training facility. The Fijian Drua Home Base in Nadi will house high-performance and recreational facilities for athletes and team management, as well as coaches, medical, analysis and welfare staff

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Evans told the Fiji Times: “I saw the new home base which is incredibly impressive and I suppose if possible, I am even more excited than I was when I was here a few months back.

“This year we’re hoping to execute six games, three in Suva and three in Lautoka. We know what the Super Rugby Pacific is all about and I’m hopeful that we can take it up another level in years to come and make significant progress not just on the field but off the field as well.

“You have got to get everything right and we want to get better at all levels. With any luck, each year we will progress or at least in some places, then in time we can look back and say we’ve become the first professional sports team on the island, and everything has worked out.

Evans paid tribute to the groundwork undertaken by former CEO Brain Thorburn and added:“The progress under Brian’s leadership has been incredibly impressive.

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“It’s always difficult to be a start-up in any sector and that’s what the Drua is and still is”

Drua Super Pacific Rugby home match schedule:
March 11; Crusaders
April 1; Rebels
April 29; Blues
May 6; Hurricanes
May 27; Moana Pasifika
June 3; Reds

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RedWarrior 14 minutes ago
Many England fans echoing the same gripe following Six Nations loss

The English defense was excellent in the first half. This is considering Ireland's attack has improved significantly since the Autumn with former Leinster attack coach Goodman. Ireland were beaten by NZ in the Autumn, are behind SA and arguably behind France so de facto 4th in order (rankings take time to catch up) As Eddie Jones said Ireland are still in that elite group so England's domination in the first half is noteworthy.

I believe they have spent the time since the Autumn largely on defence. On broken play they were relying on Smiths instint along with some jiggery pokery. For Smiths early line break a Twindaloo blocked Baird which left the gap for smith. It looked like he did Aki, but Baird was a little late arriving and clever play by Tom Curry allowed the gap for Smith. Earls line break was Smith spotting Baird coming out and beating him with a beautiful pass to Earl.

We saw the rehearsed plays for a couple of Ireland's tries. The Aki try was just identifying that England tended to hide Smith on the wing creating a vulnerability which Ireland exploited with one of Akis great finishes.

Although Ireland were relaxing at the end the two English tries were good enough quality and we may see more of it next week (Scotland will also have taken note).

Although on the easier side of the draw Borthwick almost took England to a RWC final.

But in common with the top4 you need to have firepower to get those tries in big games. Can Borthwick manage that? I don't think so.

Next week even if England have a great first half again, you would be looking at France converting 3 of those Irish chances and pushing on after the break.

Can Borthwick develop a plan to beat France in the next few years. If the answer is no England need to find someone who can.

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LONG READ Which Six Nations squad is best prepared to succeed today and in the future? Which Six Nations squad is best prepared to succeed today and in the future?
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