World Rugby funding for the Fijian Drua rugby franchise will stop on 30 June, the club's chief executive officer has confirmed.
While acknowledging that the franchise will lose a major funding source, Jeff Miller said they have been working on long-term sustainability plans that would see the Fiji-based Super Rugby Pacific franchise continue competing in the competition.
Fellow Pasifika franchise Moana Pasifika wrapped up last month because of financial challenges, with their owners Pasifika Medical Association putting the franchise into liquidation. It was confirmed by NZR on Wednesday that the franchise will play no part in the 2027 season.
However, Miller said the Drua, which has shareholding from the Fijian government and the Fiji Rugby Union, have been working on the World Rugby ceasing its financial support and are prepared for the long haul, with some new incentives already in the pipeline.
"We can confirm that World Rugby's funding to help establish the Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua franchises will conclude in June 2026," Miller said in his statement.
"As a responsible business, the Fijian Drua has been preparing for this cessation in World Rugby funding.
"The club is well established and its brand is very strong. In just five years, the Fijian Drua has quickly grown beyond rugby, to become an important contributor to Fiji's economy through sports tourism.
"We have one of the strongest commercial partnership bases in the competition thanks to our sponsors and our fans. We are well supported too by the Australian Government through the PacificAus Sports programme."
Miller said the club engages with government and tourism stakeholders "because the Fijian Drua is not just a rugby club but a national asset which generates over $108m annually for the country".
The club's sports tourism contribution continues to grow.
Miller said the franchise continues to look at their expenses, while also marketing their product both locally and overseas, which seems to be working well for the Nadi-based operation.
Local support for the team has continued to grow since 2022 and that has also expanded to the wider Fijian diaspora around the world.
Having three home grounds in Lautoka, Suva and Ba has also worked in the club's favour, with packed crowds recorded in almost all their home matches over the past five years.
"Like any business, we have adjusted our expense base to ensure we are sustainable over the long term," Miller said.
"As we lose one source of revenue, we are unlocking additional ones like paid streaming for example, which do take time to build. Further opportunities exists for the Club through building the brand overseas and active engagement with the diaspora.
"These revenue sources are vital for us to maintain our competitiveness in one of toughest competitions in the world."
On the field, the men's team struggled through the 2025 and 2026 seasons, and failed to make the quarterfinals in both seasons, having earlier achieved that in 2023 and 2024.
They finished 10th this year, with just five wins but managed to record a historic win over the Brumbies in Canberra, breaking their no-win game on away matches since 2023.
Their women's side won earlier titles in 2023 and 2024 but lost in the semifinals in 2025, while they are in the running again for a top four finish this current season.
Miller said on the field results also relate to funding interests and financial opportunities.
