The Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua and the Swire Shiping Fijian Drua teams will play this afternoon against the Brumbies and Highlanders. The Fijiana will host the Brumbies at Churchill Park, Lautoka, while the Drua will visit Dunedin.
Fijiana ready for Brumbies clash The Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua will open their Super W title defence against the Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies at King Charles Park. Last year, the Fijiana beat the Brumbies 17-7 in a hard-fought win and a battle that heavily involved the forward pack.
Head coach Inole Male plans to emulate the success of Senirusi Seruvakula. The Fijiana has prepared well, working on the scrums, line-outs, set-piece plays and other aspects of the game ahead of the exciting clash.
The Brumbies have named a strong lineup with the inclusion of three players with links to Fiji. Lydia Kavoa, Iris Verebalavu and Tabua Tuinakauvadra have been named by head coach Scott Fava alongside ten debutants.
The Fijiana will play in front of a huge crowd so expect fireworks when the likes of Joma Rubuti, Bitila Tawake, Ana Korovata, Asinate Serevi, Jade Coates, Doreen Narokete, Sulita Waisega, Karalaini Naisewa, Setaita Railumu, Ani Mei Likuvaqali, Adita Milinia, Merewai Cumu, Vani Arei, Laisani Moceisawana, Lavenia Tinai, Litia Marama, Makereta Tunidau, Mereoni Vonosere, Merevesi Ofakimalino, Nunia Uluikadavu, Evivi Senikarivi, Jeniffer Ravutia and Alycia Namosimalua battle the Brumbies.
All the best to the Fijiana! Fijian Drua takes on Highlanders The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua expects a tough and physical encounter when the side faces the Highlanders in round five of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific this afternoon.
After belting the Force 43-35, the Highlanders gained confidence, and they will be getting back some players from injuries, while the Fijian Drua could have problems with travelling.
The Highlanders will be looking to go back-to-back after losing their opening three games. However, it will not be easy against a Drua side that is looking in good form. The Highlanders have rooted to 11th place on the table with four points from their opening four games. In round one, the Highlanders went down 60-20 at home to the Blues.
It was followed by a 52-15 defeat at the hands of the Crusaders. Another heavy defeat followed to the Chiefs (28-7). The Drua superbly started this season, winning two and losing two games. The side is nowhere near title challengers, but the start it made has been more than competitive. A 36-34 victory over Moana Pasifika to kick the season off was the perfect start.
The Drua then lost 46-17 to the Waratahs, but it was 17-all at the halfway point. The Drua upset the odds, beating a weakened Crusaders side 25-24 before losing 27-24 to the Reds last weekend.
The likes of Emosi Tuqiri, Tevita Ikanivere, Samuela Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Joseva Tamani, Kitione Salawa, Ratu Meli Derenalagi, Frank Lomani, Kemu Valetini, Taniela Rakuro, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Apisalome Vota, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Zuriel Togiatama, Meli Tuni, Jone Koroiduadua, Sorovakatini Tuifagalele, Vilive Miramira, Elia Canakaivata, Peni Matawalu and Teti Tela will front the hosts, and I’m backing the Drua to return home with a win.
- Rajnesh Lingam is a regular contributor to this newspaper and the views expressed in this article are his and not of The Fiji Times.
