By Parrot Newspaper 
Fijian Drua Mourn Raisuqe, Fall to Blues in Emotionally Charged Match
By Parrot Newspaper Sports Desk
Suva, Fiji – The Fijian Drua’s hopes of a Super Rugby Pacific play-off spot were extinguished Friday night, but the weight of their 34-5 loss to the Auckland Blues was about more than just rugby. Just hours before kickoff, the team was shaken by heartbreaking news: the death of former Fiji international and Olympic silver medallist Josaia Raisuqe.
Raisuqe, 30, tragically lost his life in France on Thursday when his car was struck by a train. He was playing for Castres Olympique in the Top 14 league and had become a well-known figure in both French and Fijian rugby circles. His sudden passing sent shockwaves through the Fijian rugby community—and straight into the Drua dressing room.
“It was gut-wrenching,” Drua captain Mesake Doge said in a post-match interview. “Many of us knew Josaia personally. It hit home—he was one of our own. We tried to focus, but you could feel the sorrow in the room this morning.”
The match, played in Suva, saw the Drua struggle to find rhythm. The Blues, who are defending champions, capitalized early and never looked back. With just three wins from 12 games, the Drua’s playoff dreams are now officially over.
Head coach Glen Jackson didn’t sugarcoat the performance—but he also didn’t blame his players.
“It was a tough day emotionally,” Jackson said. “Losing someone like Josaia—such a vibrant, talented guy—on game day is devastating. The boys gave what they could under the circumstances.”
Raisuqe was more than just a skilled winger. He was part of the Fiji team that claimed silver in rugby sevens at the Paris Olympics in 2024 and had become a fan favorite in France for his explosive play and larger-than-life personality.
While the result on the field was a disappointment, the Drua ended the week with a sliver of good news. Fijian international lock Temo Mayanavanua, currently with England’s Northampton Saints, has signed a two-year deal to join the team next season. The Saints are in the European Champions Cup final later this month, with Mayanavanua playing a pivotal role in their campaign.
“Temo brings maturity and serious experience from the European scene,” Jackson said. “It’s a huge step for us. If we can keep building, get the right people in the room, I genuinely believe this team will be something special in the next year or two.”
But for now, the team—and the nation—are mourning the loss of a brother.
Fijian Drua Mourn Raisuqe
“Rest in peace, Josaia,” said Doge, voice heavy with emotion. “We’ll carry your spirit with us every time we take the field.”