Fiji's new team in Australia's National Rugby Championship will be known as the Drua, named after a historic double canoe from the Pacific Island nation.

The Fiji Rugby Union made the announcement on Wednesday during the team's official uniform launch in Suva.

The FRU said the name "encapsulates the history and success of one of Fiji's sacred, traditional and historic war ships that inspired both fear and awe and was a true masterpiece."

Fijian Drua team name and jerseys revealed by @fijirugby for Fiji's participation in National Rugby Championship #NRC #FijianDrua pic.twitter.com/86bNRyUL2a — Fijivillage (@fijivillage) August 16, 2017

<“We owe it to our forefathers, our culture and our tradition to honour them for the masterpiece canoe that was renowned throughout the Pacific as sacred," FRU chairman Commander Kean said.

"It was a triumphant vessel and we pay homage to what was widely regarded as the greatest battleship of the Pacific by calling our team the Fijian Drua.”

The Fijian Drua play their first NRC match on September 2 in Brisbane.