“THEY have learned our game style from last year so we will be expecting a tough encounter this year but we have been preparing for this moment and we will lift our standard to another level”.
These were the sentiments expressed by the Fiji Airways Drua captain Mosese Voka as they prepare to take on the touring Melbourne Rising in the first round of the National Rugby Championship today at Ratu Cakobau Park.
“All we need to do is to execute our game plans and maintain possession especially during the scrums and line-outs”.
The Melbourne Rising side will feature four Fijian boys with Isi Naisarani, Wallaby Sefanaia Naivalu, Kemu Valetini and former Vatukoula fullback Kitione Ratu.
“I think it will be a tough match playing against our Fijian brothers tomorrow (today) but only time will tell after the final whistle at Ratu Cakobau Park,” Voka said.
The Fiji Drua defeated the Melbourne Rising last year 45-24, in the second round scoring seven tries to four but Drua coach Senirusi Seruvakula said they would expect a different ball game from their opponents today.
“We have beaten them once but they have been studying our game structure and our game style, so it will be a tough match from the Melbourne Rising,” Seruvakula said.
“My advice to the boys is to go out there and have fun, enjoy the game of rugby.
The Drua side finished in third place last year after nine rounds excluding the semi-final and the grand final.
Fiji won four games and lost four and went down in the semi-final against last year’s NRC champion Queensland Country.
Fiji Drua: Eroni Mawi, Tuvere Vugakoto Veremalua, Luke Tagi, Peni Naulago, Albert Tuisue, Filimone Seru, Mosese Voka, Eremasi Radrodro, Frank Lomani, Alivereti Veitokani, Levani Kurumudu, Cyril Reece, Poasa Waqanibau, Avete Daveta, Apisalome Waqatubu
Reserves: Ratunaisa Navuma, Joeli Veitayaki, Mosese Ducivaki, Tevita Naqali, Johnny Dyer, Peni Raidre, Serupepeli Vularika, Enele Malele.
Melbourne Rising: Tetera Faulkner, Anaru Rangi, Jermaine Ainsley, Matt Philip, Trevor Hosea, Angus Cottrell,.Richard Hardwick, Isi Naisarani, Harrison Goddard, Archie King, Tom English, Billy Meakes, Sione Tuipulotu, Sefa Naivalu, Justin Masters
Reserves: Andrew Tuala, Fereti Sa’aga, Mees Erasmus, Esei Haangana, Robert Leota, Michael Ruru, Kemu Valetini, Kitione Ratu
