Super Rugby Pacific: Dolokoto vows to give his best at home games

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Mesulame Dolokoto (middle) practising his throws during their training in Australia. Picture: Fijian Drua/SUPPLIED

For Swire Shipping Fijian Drua player Mesulame Dolokoto, playing at home has always been the biggest privilege throughout his rugby career.

The Fijian Drua will be looking to bounce back from a 57-24 loss against the Highlanders last weekend, when they take on the Rebels at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva tomorrow.

The Cakaudrove native spoke on how the team has been preparing themselves throughout the week for their clash with the Rebels.

“It’s always been an honour to play here at home, and the boys have been fully immersed in their training and we are looking forward to the match,” he said.

The former Queen Victoria School student said he always made it his goal to perform his best for the Fijian Drua whenever there were home games.

“I always aim to give our fans the best game whenever we have to play here at home.”

The bulky hooker first burst on to the rugby scene after helping his Suva side win the Skipper Cup in 2018. Later that year he was named in the Fijian Drua side that competed in the National Rugby Championship in Australia, boasting a total of seven caps.

“We’ve been training well with the boys, just regrouping and bonding with the boys before we run out this weekend.”

Dolokoto called out to fans and supporters of the Fijian Drua to come out to support the team when they run out against the Rebels.

“And since the players will be playing on Saturday, we ask all our fans to turn up in numbers and hopefully we will sell out the HFC Bank Stadium.”

He made his debut for the Flying Fijians in 2018 through 2019 with a total of 10 caps and was part of the national team at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

 

Mesulame Dolokoto attacks for the Flying Fijians during the last Rugby World Cup. Picture: RUGBY PASS

Growing up in the “School of hard knocks” streets of Kinoya, Dolokoto gives credit to the support and guidance of his family in bringing him to where he is today.

“I know my family will be out there, so I just can’t wait to run out on Saturday. We know the Rebels will be coming out strong, as they have defeated the Waratahs and Reds in their past two games, so we will need to be physical for the whole 80 minutes.”

Dolokoto was among the first batch of players to sign with the Fijian Drua in their debut season in the Super Rugby Competition in 2022.

This was after he had spent almost a year in France where he had a short stint with the Boroughmuir Bears in the Super 6 in 2020.

“I think our mauls and scrums are some of the key areas we need to work on for us to get back on track.

“I know that the boys will do their due diligence this weekend, and hopefully, we come out with a good result.

“Another main factor is preventing our opponents from getting into our 22-metre line, so that means we will need to pick up our defence.”

The Fijian Drua met the Rebels twice last year in their debut season, losing both games but pulled off an impressive 24-0 win against the Melbourne-based club during a pre-season match in Nadi earlier this year.

“I think discipline plays a huge role here, if we are able to maintain discipline on the field then we should be able to perform to our best.”

Considerably one of the most experienced players in the Fijian Drua side with a number of caps for the Flying Fijians, Fijian Latui, Fiji Warriors, and a French-based club, Dolokoto certainly brings a lot to the table for the Fijian Drua and will be a player to watch at this weekend’s clash.

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