After a very enjoyable three days of Super Rugby Pacific in Christchurch last weekend, it’s great to be back in Ba for today’s crunch game between the Fijian Drua and Highlanders. The men from New Zealand’s deep south hope to remain unbeaten in this fixture.
The Super Rugby Pacific Super Round wasn’t particularly ‘super’ for the non-Kiwi teams last week, but I thought the Drua were unlucky not to come away with at least a bonus point against the high-flying Chiefs, in front of a sell-out crowd at the new stadium.
Some 50-50 calls didn’t go the Drua’s way, and they conceded a couple of soft tries while trailing 14-10, including Ilaisa Droasese’s decision to grubber kick in his in-goal area which resulted in a Chief’s try. The men from the Waikato scored another shortly after and that helped them take an 18-point lead into the break.
While it was two tries each in the second half, those late first half tries proved costly, and the Chiefs won 42 to 22. I was pleased Droasese wasn’t hooked at half time because we all know what a great player he can be, and he almost scored late in the game which would have been some redemption.
Head coach Glen Jackson was quick to defend his fullback saying every player makes mistakes. He added that he’s a fantastic young man and a great rugby player. The club is gathering around him the wake of some criticism, especially on social media, and he’s been given the week off.
There were plenty of positives to take out of the loss to the Chiefs and some players stood out. I was impressed with Kitione Salawa’s work rate on attack and defence. Rookie outside centre Maika Tuitubou had a great debut, aided by the experienced Virimi Vakatawa alongside him.
So, with four games to play the Drua are 9th on 16 points, seven behind the 6th placed Reds. They’ll need to win both remaining home games and at least one on the road, while hoping other results go their way. The Highlanders are 7th on 20 points. Both teams have won four of their 10 games so far.
Head-to-head they’ve played four times with the Highlanders winning all four including the three-point victory in the Drua’s first ever game in Suva in 2022. It’s been one sided in three games in Dunedin with the Highlanders winning by 23 or more each time.
The Drua have ticked some boxes this year by achieving a first ever win over the Brumbies. That was in Ba, which they backed up by winning in Canberra for the first time. They still haven’t beaten the Blues and Highlanders so they’re hoping that will change today.
The Highlanders are coming off a hard fought 27-17 win over Moana Pasifika in Christchurch. They haven’t won consecutive matches since week three last season, so they need to find some consistency if they’re going to make the play-offs.
There’s an interesting pattern when you look at the Highlanders’ results this season: each win has been followed by two losses. That has to change quickly if they don’t want to be the only Kiwi team to miss out on the Play-offs. The Chiefs, Hurricanes, Blues and Crusaders currently occupy the top four spots and look likely to qualify.
Coach Jamie Joseph has brought five players into the run-on team. Jack Taylor, Angus Ta’avao, Te Kamaka Howden and Folau Fakatava all get a start after being on the bench last week. Fijian Jona Nareki is over his ankle injury and will start on the wing.
The Highlanders have lost five in a row outside New Zealand, dating back to their win over Moana in Tonga two years ago. That was just their second win in the past 15 games on foreign soil. They’re another franchise that struggles to win overseas.
Drua coach Glen Jackson has mixed things up this week and made plenty of changes. Lock Isoa Nasilasila is starting again in the pack, as well as back rowers Jo Tamani and Elia Canakaivata.
Elia will play his 50th game for the Cub and he brings up the milestone in just four seasons. Others have taken five years. He hasn’t missed many games since his debut, and he’s in the top five for overall ‘ball carries’ in Super Rugby Pacific 2026. In the back line, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa starts at scrumhalf after passport issues forced him to sit out last week. The versatile Frank Lomani will start on the right wing with coach Jackson opting to get his most experienced and in-form players on the field.
Ba product Joji Nasova gets another start on the wing and centre Tuidraki Samusamuvodre returns from injury. He replaces last week’s debutant Maika Tuitubou who is on the bench but certain to get more game time. Isikeli Rabitu is back at fullback after completing concussion protocols.
Seven players in the matchday 23 didn’t feature in win over the Brumbies in Ba and they’ll be looking forward to playing in front of another big home crowd, when the match kicks off at 4pm this afternoon at Four R Stadium.
The last home game is in Suva against the Waratahs in a fortnight and coach Jackson says he’s becoming emotional as he counts down to the end of his time in Fiji. He’s expecting a tough battle at the breakdown today as the Highlanders are a side that fights for everything.
It’s been a demanding week for both teams as they have a six-day turnaround from last Sunday, and both have had to overcome the long travel to Fiji from New Zealand. It’s must-win for both.
Toso Drua toso.
