Never before has winning home games been so important for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua, but unfortunately, they let victory against the Brumbies slip through their grasp in Suva last Saturday.
Only the top six qualify for the play-offs this year in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific, and if the Drua continue to struggle on the road, they know they must win home games to stay in the race.
It was there for the taking against the top Aussie side, but they didn’t finish strongly. Penalties were conceded late in the match, gifting the Brumbies great field position and they capitalised.
Poor discipline has cost the Drua dearly throughout their first three years, but it was hoped that 2025 would see a big improvement. As Head Coach Glen Jackson said on Drua Talk this week, it wasn’t the number of penalties conceded, it’s the timing.
With two Drua players in the sin bin in the first half, the Brumbies were able to get out to a 17-7 lead, but the Drua scored 13 unanswered points and were up 20-17 at the break.
When they lead by 8 points late in the second half, it looked like the Drua would maintain their perfect record against Aussie teams at home. But they failed to close out the match and the Brumbies broke the drought for Australian franchises in Fiji.
It wasn’t all bad. In his Drua debut, winger Vuate Karawalevu made up for his yellow card by scoring a double. It was also great to see another Drua debutant Ponipate Loganimasi score a try.
Elia Canakaivata had another strong game along with co-captain Tevita Ikanivere who set up Simione Kuruvoli’s first half try. But while Elia will start today in Napier, Tevita and Simi have been rotated out of the matchday 23.
There are 13 changes to the starting team, with only Elia and Mesake Vocevoce retained from last week. I knew there would be multiple changes, but I didn’t think there’d be so many.
Coach Glen Jackson said he wanted to reward every player for their hard work in the pre-season by giving everyone game time in the early rounds and give them the opportunity to cement a regular spot.
Some may see it as a risk, but it worked for the Brumbies last week. They rested 7 Wallabies, and those selected took their opportunities. I’m hoping that will be the case against for the Drua against the Hurricanes this afternoon.
The Canes have taken the match to Napier and four Hawke’s Bay players have been named in the squad. Coach Clark Laidlaw has retained the majority of the side that lost 33-25 to the Crusaders in Christchurch last week.
Despite a long injury list that includes Isaia Walker-Leawere. Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax and Billy Proctor, the Canes have a strong side on paper and there is speed out wide with the in-form Kini Naholo and Fatafehi Fineanganofo on the wings.
Drua Coach Glen Jackosn is trying to downplay the poor record away from home. New Coach .. new season .. . clean slate. He opted to have the squad stay overnight in Auckland on Thursday and head to Napier yesterday.
I can’t wait to see two high profile Drua debutants in action. Flying Fijians Inia Tabuavou and Peni Ravai. Inia has returned home after a stint with Racing 92 in France and the well-travelled Ravai joined the squad from the Queensland Reds.
Inia will start at centre and partners Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, while Peni is on the bench as loosehead prop cover. It’s a new front row of Tuqiri, Togiatama and Doge.
Lock Mesake Vocevoce is partnered by Isoa Nasilasila who returns from injury, and it’s great to see Meli Derenalagi back in the squad and he’s alongside Motikiai Murray and Elia Canakaivata in the back row.
Co-captain and scrumhalf Frank Lomani partners flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, and the back three this week are Taniela Rakuro, Junior Ratuva and Ilaisa Droasese.
The very experienced bench includes Mesulame Dolokoto, Ravai, Meli Tuni who played well off the pine last week, Leone Rotuisolia, Kitione Salawa, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz and Iosefo Masi.
It’ll be the 4th time the Drua have played the Hurricanes, and the Canes lead the ‘head to head’ 2-1. The last time they met in New Zealand, the Canes won 67 to 5 which is their second biggest win at home. They won by 23 points in Fiji last year. I’m expecting it to be a lot closer this time.
An upset victory will give the Drua their first ever win on Kiwi soil. Another win on the road is long overdue. I wish them well. And the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women have a trial against the Brumbies in Canberra today and they start their Super W campaign next week against the Waratahs. More on that next week.
Toso Drua toso.
