The announcement made by World Rugby According that the Fijian Drua would participate in Super Rugby next year brought a lot of relief and joy.
According to World Rugby this would enhance the player development pathway in the Pacific Islands, improving the opportunity for players to perform to their full potential on the world stage, and this would support the ambition to develop locally-based players through to Test match level.
Sir Bill Beaumont hailed the announcement as a game-changer for rugby in the region.
After the announcement was made, the Fijian Drua appointed Mick Byrne as the head coach. Byrne has vast experiences as a coach, and he has been the Assistant and Skills Coach for the Wallabies, ABs, Japan and Scotland over a 23-year rugby union coaching career.
Byrne brings with him Super Rugby experience as assistant coach of the Blues, and his credentials are globally recognised.
He is a wonderful addition to the Fijian Drua, having a strong international coaching experience, having won two RWCs, five Tri-Nations titles, five Rugby Championships and 11 Bledisloe Cups (with the ABs), as well as three Asian Cups and a Pacific Nations Cup (with Japan).
After Byrne ‘s appointment, Fiji’s strength and conditioning coach Naca Cawanibuka joined the Fijian Drua vuvale as head of athletic performance.
Naca’s work ethics, discipline and commitment can never be questioned, as he has proved his credential with the national 7s team. Naca has worked tirelessly to lead the 7s team to back-to-back Olympic Games 7s gold medal and numerous HSBC WRSS tournament and overall 7s series titles.
In an interview with Paulini Curuqara (FT: 25/09), Cawanibuka said it was truly humbling to be part of the maiden Fijian Drua voyage, and it was a privilege to be called to be part of the journey and entrusted with the role.
After this, the first five signings were unveiled, and FRU GM HPU Simon Raiwalui echoed Thorburn’s sentiments, as he emphasised the Drua’s intent of recruiting and developing homegrown talent. I’m thankful to Simon and Thorburn for their insights into the reasons these players were selected, and I’ll allude to the reasons provided by Simon and Thorburn.
The first five players unveiled were 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Napolioni Bolaca, Tevita Ikanivere, Bay of Plenty speedster Onisi Ratave, experienced loose forward Nemani Nagusa and young halfback Simione Kuruvoli.
Bolaca has tasted success with the 7s team, and he was a key member in our Olympics title defence, and was named in the 2019/20 HSBC WRSS Dream Team after finishing as the series’ top point-scorer.
Ratave, who is an electric winger, set the NPC alight while playing for Bay of Plenty.
He played for Namosi and was part of the 7s training squad. He has pace to burn, and has scored some scintillating tries for the Steamers.
At the age of 21, Ikanivere, a former Fiji U20 rep, made his test debut in Fiji’s Autumn Nations Cup win over Georgia last November.
Nagusa has played 18 times for Fiji between 2012 and 2019. With professional experience with Aurillac and the Newcastle Falcons in the Premiership, the 33-year-old will provide the Drua with valuable experience.
Kuruvoli is a former Fiji U20 player, and he boasts two test caps after playing against Georgia last year and starting against the All Blacks in Dunedin.
The Fijian Drua then announced a further five players who would join the squad. Stepping onboard the Drua were outstanding 7s forward Ratu Meli Derenalagi, Flying Fijian and former NRC Drua stalwart Serupepeli Vularika, Suva prop Meli Tuni, Namosi flyer Vinaya Habosi, and NPC Premiership winning Tasman Mako forward Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta.
Tu Meli Derenalagi, Flying Fijian and former NRC Drua stalwart Serupepeli Vularika, Suva prop Meli Tuni, Namosi fl yer Vinaya Habosi, and NPC Premiership winning Tasman Mako forward Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta.
Tu Meli is a household name in Fiji. He won the Deans Trophy with QVS in 2016.
He has been part of our 7s success, and is an Olympics gold medallist. He has gained valuable experience playing for Suva in the Skipper Cup, and I’m confident Tu Meli will thrive as a Super Rugby loose forward.
He is 23, but he has captained the national 7s side, and his contribution to Fijian rugby has already been immense. With his speed and ball handling skills, he adds dynamism to the squad as a backrow forward.
His aerial skills make him a decent line-out option as well.
Namosi winger Habosi and Suva prop Tuni were rewarded for working their way through Fiji’s domestic and age-grade competitions. Tuni, who is 21, has already been around the blocks with Suva, the Fiji U20 and the Fijian Warriors.
He is loaded with skills and pace.
Habosi helped Namosi dethrone Nadroga, as holders of the Farebrother-Sullivan Trophy last year, and he was lethal for Namosi in the backs.
Habosi is 21, but follows in the fine tradition of talented Fijian wingers who know their way to the try-line. Vularika has been with the Fijian Drua, and was part of the 2018 NRC win.
He has the ability to play halfback, inside centre, wing or fullback. He is creative, has a good kicking game, defends aggressively and makes the gain line in any position he plays, offering excellent options to the coaching staff.
NZ-based Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta is a powerhouse forward, aggressive in attack and defence, and is effective at lock and in the backrow. His experience with Tasman Mako, which includes back-to-back NPC Premiership wins, will benefit the Drua.
The last batch of players was named this week, and they include another Olympian Kalione Nasoko, our offloading machine.
Nasoko’s ability to offload under immense pressure, his work rate, his discipline and his ethics has culminated in his selection.
Nadroga’s powerhouse Jone Koroiduadua, Naitasiri’s Chris Minimbi, former Lelean Memorial School, Namosi, Drua and Fijian Warrior’s half back Peni Matawalu, Namosi centre Kalaveti Ravouvou and former Fiji U20 skipper Raikabula Momoedonu were also drafted in.
Vinaka vakalevu Simon and Thorburn for justifying these players selection!
- RAJNESH LINGAM is a contributor to this newspaper. The views expressed are his and not necessarily of this
newspaper or his employer.
