Arei expects tough competition in her position from new players in the Fijian Drua Women’s squad

Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women’s centre Vani Va’aga Arei is expecting a lot of competition in her position from the new players in the squad this year as the team prepares for a new season of the Super W competition which kicks off in March.

In an interview with fijivillage News, Arei says the new talents coming into the squad this year are providing stiff competition and she will need to work extra hard to earn her place in the team.

She says it is a great feeling creating history with the Fijian Drua Women’s team last year, winning the Super W back-to-back, but it is now back to the hard yards and doing the extras to earn her spot in the squad.

The 24-year-old was a regular starter for the Fijian Drua Women’s team last season and her sterling performances earned her the national duty call-up to the Vodafone Fijiana 15s side for a few international tournaments.

Arei says the competition this year will be a lot harder knowing they are the defending champions and are on a mission for a historic three-peat run and all teams will be targeting them.

Arei was part of the Melbourne Rebels Women’s squad in 2021 before being signed up by the Fijian Drua Women’s side in 2022.

She says the decision to come back home and represent the Drua was a decision she never regretted as she has always wanted to represent her country on the international stage.

Arei now looks forward to helping her side secure another historic run at this year’s Super W competition as they aim to defend their title again.

The Fijian Drua Women will kick off their 2024 Super W competition campaign against the Reds Women on the 17th of March in Brisbane.