THE return of Swire Shipping Fijian Drua co-captain Temo Mayanavanua from injury has been welcomed by head coach Glen Jackson.
Mayanavanua returns to competition after being away due to a knee injury sustained in the earlier rounds of the 2026 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season.
With his return, Jackson says it’s awesome to have him back in the fold as they fly to Canberra, Australia to face the Brumbies in round 10 tomorrow.
“His dedication and effort to this club is unbelievable and he’s probably back a week earlier than what we were hoping so it’s great to have them out there,” Jackson said yesterday.
He was also referring to Drua forward Samuela Tawake who makes his 50th appearance in a Super Rugby Pacific match.
“Looking forward to supporting Samu (Samuela Tawake) in his 50th game,” Jackson shared before jokingly referring to Tawake as a “grumpy old man.”
Meanwhile, Mayanavanua returns after Isoa Nasilasila and Tuidraki Samusamuvodre stepped in as vice captains since co-captain Frank Lomani was injured in the match against the Blues last month.
Lomani is expected to return before the season concludes.
The team heads to Australia to meet the Brumbies, who they last met in round five at the Four R Stadium, Govind Park in Ba where the Drua won 42-27.
The Fijian Drua meet the Brumbies at 9.30pm at the GIO Stadium in Canberra.
Match-day 23: Starters-1. Emosi Tuqiri, 2. Zuriel Togiatama, 3. Samuela Tawake, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Temo Mayanavanua (c), 6. Etonia Waqa, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Isoa Tuwai, 9. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11. Manasa Mataele, 12. Virimi Vakatawa, 13. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 14. Isikeli Basiyalo, 15. Isikeli Rabitu.
Impact-16. Kavaia Tagivetaua, 17. Penaia Cakobau, 18. Mesake Doge, 19. Mesake Vocevoce, 20. Joseva Tamani, 21. Simione Kuruvoli, 22. Kemu Valetini, 23. Inia Tabuavou.
