Drua Games Blocked on Phones After $3M Vodafone Deal - Fijians Forced to Pay $2

Fijians are no longer able to watch Fijian Drua matches for free on mobile devices following a reported $3 million sponsorship deal between the club and Vodafone Fiji that forces people to go through a $2 paywall on games streamed through phones.

Under the new arrangement, Drua matches remain free on television through Walesi and FBC Sports HD, but viewers without access to a television will now be required to pay to watch matches on Vodafone Play.

Drua Commercial Manager Shane Hussein confirmed the change, saying fans who want to watch matches on mobile devices must pay for access.

“If you want to watch the match at your convenience, on your device, wherever you are, while you're on the move, in the bus, in the market, in town, visiting friends and family or on the couch at home and you don't have access to a TV, you are able to watch that match live on Vodafone Play, and it's just two dollars a match,” Hussein said.

Until now, Fijians have been able to enjoy Drua games freely through various platforms, including Walesi, and the move has already sparked backlash among fans.

Rugby holds deep cultural significance in Fiji, with families, villages, and communities traditionally gathering to watch matches together. Many supporters say the new paywall limits access, particularly for those who rely primarily on mobile phones/tablets rather than television.

Some fans also raised concerns about accessibility and affordability.

Ajay Ram commented online, “Pay to see 7s. I am pretty sure the people will have to pay to watch the Rugby World Cup 2027 next year, and in the near future, I think the public will have to pay to watch the Drua on TV. It’s not right in a way; you all are taking rugby away from the common man.”

Another social media user, Keleto Lavinia, criticised the service quality, saying, “Your network is not good in Vanua Levu and Taveuni, so this is daylight robbery using the Drua team for a scam. Upgrade your service.”

Concerns have also been raised about the functionality of the Vodafone Play application itself.

The app currently carries numerous negative reviews online, with users reporting slow loading times, streaming issues, and content failing to load properly.

Duavata News has sought comment from Minister for Communications Ioane Naivalurua regarding the issue.