The McDonald’s Fijian Drua Women’s title hopes may have ended in disappointment, but the season closed with plenty to celebrate after hosting their first-ever Super Rugby Women’s Grand Final at home.

Despite what Head Coach Mike Legge described as their poorest performance of the season, the team reflected on a historic campaign that highlighted the growth of women’s rugby in Fiji.

Legge says the Waratahs showed the composure and game management needed to win a final, giving the Drua valuable lessons to build on.

“We probably didn’t play the best game. It was probably our worst game of the year, to be fair. Look, I’m really proud of the girls. They got us a home final. We made history there. The Waratahs just showed composure. They showed how to play final footy. That’s a lesson for us and our girls. We’ll move forward and build from this.”

Despite the loss, the incredible support from Fijian fans throughout the season was one of the team’s biggest highlights.

“Even last week, you know, the crowd was really good, you know, and, you know, it was just unfortunate we didn’t get them the result, but, man, again, like I said last week, just really proud to be Fijian, yeah, to see all our people here supporting women’s rugby, you know, you don’t get that in many places in the world, eh, so it’s just really, really good to see.”

Season captain Bitila Tawake says playing the club’s first-ever Super Rugby Women’s Grand Final on home soil was a proud and emotional moment, with the players grateful for the overwhelming support despite the result.

“We marched it into pre-season this year. Our team by our CEO Jeff was to inspire the nation and the next generation. Today we did that.

We’ve got a big packed stadium today. Like Coach also said, we wish we had this same home front back at home. But again, I’m really proud of the girls, the work they’ve put in throughout the season, the sacrifices they’ve made for family and friends to come out here and support us. This huge crowd means so much to us. We’ve been building for a long time to get a home front final.

We’re really sad and upset.I think most of the girls, it’s their first home front final. We’re bummed, but we’re taking the learning from here and on to the next season.”

Although they fell short of the title, the Fijian Drua Women end the season with history made, valuable experience gained and confidence they can come back even stronger next year.