Promising young athlete Alfred Cornish has joined the Fijian Drua Junior Development Programme as the club continues its efforts to develop the country’s next generation of rugby talent.

The Natabua High School student impressed during the 2026 Vodafone Super Deans Under-18 competition with Ba Provincial Free Bird Institute, scoring a standout try against Suva Grammar School in the quarter-finals.

Cornish, who plays at flanker, also has a strong swimming background, having represented Fiji at the 2024 Oceania Aquatics Championships and finishing second in the 17-year-old boys’ 50-metre freestyle at the 2025 National Schools Swimming Championships.

Drua Development and Pathways Director Nemani Nadolo-Kuridrani says Cornish’s attitude, willingness to learn and potential made him an exciting addition to the programme.