THE pre-season is over.
It’s now time for the real deal. The 30th instalment of Super Rugby Pacific is underway and the Fijian Drua start their 5th year with the ‘Battle of the Pacific’ against Moana Pasifika in Lautoka.
I think it could be the match of the round, especially if both teams are able to play their expansive games, highlighting their Pacific flair and skills.
Both squads have new faces lining up and it’s important that they hit the ground running.
It’s a great rivalry. The Drua lead the head-to-head stats against Moana with four wins and two losses.
Four of the matches have been decided by seven points or less and overall, just three points separate them.
Drua 192 to Moana’s 189.
I like the look of the Drua squad that head coach Glen Jackson has selected.
The Club was formed to give locals an opportunity to start their professional career at home and not have to head overseas at a young age, moving away from family and friends and the Fijian lifestyle.
There will always be some who attract big money offers from overseas, but now we are finding more Fijian stars returning home, and I can’t wait to see what sort of contribution the likes of Mayanavanua, Vakatawa, Fines-Leleiwasa and Mataele make.
There are big shoes to fill. Ikanivere, Masi, Ravutaumada and Muntz have moved on and will be missed.
But today’s team is full of experience and there are 20 Internationals in the match day 23.
The three who have yet to play a test are on the bench. Cakobau, Tuwai and Rabitu.
I look forward to calling Virimi Vakatawa again. I commentated many of his games for the French 7s and it’s great to see the 32-test veteran of France 15s back at home.
The former Racing 92 star and Bristol Bear will be able to pass on a lot of knowledge.
But the big signing is Temo Mayanavanua. The former Lyon and Northampton Saints lock has been named co-captain with Frank Lomani.
The 31-Test Flying Fijian’s experience will be immense, especially on the road where things haven’t gone to plan.
He’ll form a locking combo with 2025 Drua Player of the Year Isoa Nasilasila who’ll run out for his 51st appearance, the most by any player in the Club’s history.
Both Nasilasila and flanker Kitione Salawa are foundation players and it’s great to see them still playing pro rugby in Fiji. They’re an inspiration to aspiring youngsters.
The inclusion of Wallaby Scrumhalf Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Manasa Mataele gives the backline even more experience and adds a lot of depth.
Fines-Leleiwasa has come through the Brumbies and Western Force pathways, while Mataele brings a lot of knowledge from his days with the Crusaders, Force and Chiefs.
Head Coach Glen Jackson said the squad has never been fitter at the start of a season and while there are five 5 players wearing the Drua colours for the first time today, it’s an all test starting side.
There are five test players on the bench as well, including Frank Lomani.
Moana Pasifika have lost their two 2 games on Fiji soil, but both were close encounters.
While all the talk has been the departure of All Black star Ardie Savea for his sabbatical in Japan, Coach Tana Umaga has managed to sign former All Black Ngani Laumape.
The hard running midfielder is set to play his first Super Rugby Pacific game since 2021 and his clash with opposite number Vakatawa will be interesting.
Laumape will have classy halves Taumateine and Pellegrini inside him.
Moana have Samoan and Tongan internationals to call on, but they don’t have as much test experience as the Drua.
Many in the squad have come through the NPC pathways in New Zealand and they featured strongly in some of Moana’s upset victories last year.
Fullback William Havili will become the first Moana player to bring up 50 caps when he runs out at Churchill Park this afternoon, a terrific achievement for the younger brother of All Black David Havili.
It’s the first of four games to be played at Drua’s fortress in Lautoka and with the top six qualifying for the play-offs again this year, it’s important for the Drua to bank some competition points early in the season unlike last year. They play the Waratahs in Sydney next Friday night before they clash with the Hurricanes back in Lautoka the following week.
If they can get past Moana today, it’s important to do well on the road next week and break the long drought away from home.
Coach Jackson said he’s taking it one week at a time, but we all know that the Drua need to start winning on the road if they are to make the Top Four and go deep into the business end of the season.
I’m looking forward to being in the Commentary Box for the 5th year in a row and I’m tipping a Drua victory to make it 10 wins on the trot in Lautoka.
Get to the Sugar City early today as there is a curtain raiser featuring the Drua Development team and an Australian Fijian combination kicking off at 12.30pm.
Toso Drua toso.
