Swire Shipping Fijian Drua players Samuela Tawake, Kitione Salawa and Selestino Ravutaumada have been rested for tomorrow’s Super Rugby Pacific match against the Western Force in Perth.
The three players were outstanding last week in the 27-24 triumph over the Hurricanes at the HFC Bank Stadium but left the field with a few injuries.
Head coach Mick Byrne said the players were in good shape when they left their Nadi base on Tuesday morning.
“We left Samu, Kiti and Stino at home to recover but we left them in good shape,” said Byrne from their team camp in Perth.
“We had to fly to Melbourne then to Perth and then fly to Sydney after the game so there’s a lot of flight in there to carry those injuries.
“We’ve given them the week at home to recover and nurse their injuries.
“If they were to get up here (Perth) and they don’t make it to the Friday night game, then we’ve got to send someone over from home in the week.
“The injuries were bad enough to say that there’s a chance they might not make it to Friday so the best thing to do was to leave them out.
“We will assess them later in the week back home in Fiji.”
Twenty-three-year-old Ravutaumada has been impressive for the Drua in his second Super Rugby Pacific season and Byrne believes he has enough players in his squad who can fill the void left by the former Marist Brothers High School student.
“We believe in our squad to do the work Stino (Ravutaumada) has done well. It’s a good challenge to whoever steps up in those shoes, for them to step up and perform.
“I have full faith in our squad that everybody will come out and they’ll play the best they can.”
