FIJIAN DRUA UNVEIL FULL 2024 SQUAD

For the third season in the club’s brief existence, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua has unveiled their team for the 2024 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

With five rookies making the transition to first-class rugby, the side is led by 18 Flying Fijians, who had a great international season that included the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Six new rising stars in Fijian rugby are included in the 12-man Development Squad for 2024, which has been released by the Drua.

Mesulame Dolokoto, a former Flying Fijians representative, and hookers Tevita Ikanivere and Zuriel Togiatama make up the 37-man Super Rugby Pacific team. Ikanivere, who has scored seven tries in his 25 Club appearances thus far, leads the Fijian Drua forwards in try scoring statistics.

Along with Emosi Tuqiri, who was a member of the Flying Fijians squad in 2023, the looseheads in the group are Haereiti Hetet and Livai Natave, both of whom have caps for the Flying Fijians.

The team includes Mesake Doge, Jone Koroiduadua, and Samuela Tawake, an all-international tighthead trio. Meli Tuni, a utility prop, rounds up the front row contingent.Isoa Nasilasila, a lock for the Flying Fijians, is pictured in the second row. With 27 Fijian Drua caps, he leads the Super Rugby Pacific.

Along with Etonia Waqa and rookie lock Sailosi Vukalokalo (Queen Victoria School, Fiji Warriors), it also featured Flying Fijian Leone Rotuisolia.

Te Cirikidaveta, a flying Fijian, adds versatility by being suited at both Lock and No. 8.

Meli Derenalagi and Vilive Miramira, Flying Fijian flankers, join Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, and Fiji U20 Captain Motikiai Murray in the backrow. Murray made his Super Rugby Pacific debut in the 2023 quarterfinal against the Crusaders, who went on to win the championship.

There are many possibilities for the Drua at halfback thanks to three Flying Fijians and a Fiji U20 standout.

Experienced player Frank Lomani, who has the highest number of Super Rugby Pacific caps (45) among the team, will be accompanied by fellow Flying Fijians Peni Matawalu and Simione Kuruvoli, with Philip Baselala completing the quartet.

The flyhalves are made up of rookies Isikeli Rabitu (Suva Grammar School) and Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula (Fiji U20, Manawatu Turbos) and sharpshooter Kemu Valetini.

Caleb Muntz, a flying Fijian, is part of the team but will recover from his injury before the Rugby World Cup. It seems unlikely that he will play in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific league in 2024.

In the centers, Apisalome Vota, Michael Naitokani, rookie Waqa Nalaga (Fiji U20, Manawatu Turbos), and Iosefo Masi (nine tries), Drua’s top try scorer and 2023 Rookie of the Year, return from their debut RWC campaign to command the midfield.

Super Rugby Pacific newcomer Epeli Momo (Montauban, Fiji U20) and 2023 surprise package Taniela Rakuro join Flying Fijians stars Ilaisa Droasese and Selestino Ravutaumada in the back three. With Tuidraki Samusamuvodre as the utility back, the team of 37 is complete.

CEO of Fijian Drua Mark Evans stated: “We are honored to introduce to the Fijian people our 2024 Drua squad, which includes a number of seasoned Fijian internationals in addition to a group of young, bright players who are prepared to fly the Fiji flag in Drua colors.As always, we want to inspire pride in the Fijian people. Additionally, our supporters can anticipate watching their favorite players compete against some of the best in the world right here at home with seven games in Fiji for the first time ever.

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We fully comprehend their expectations. For good reason, Fijians are the greatest rugby fans in the world, and in 2024 we can’t wait to prove it to them and the rest of the competition.

 

 

Mick Byrne, head coach of Swire Shipping Fijian Drua, continued, “We have a team that we think can compete in one of the hardest club rugby leagues in the world. It’s great for us to play a record seven games in front of our ardent fans since our goal in 2024 is to make an even greater impact. That will undoubtedly be noticed by the seven teams that are coming over next season.

“As coaches, we are looking forward to the selection headaches this will create,” Byrne continued. “There will be some great competition for spots in the matchday 23.”

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When the Flying Fijians players return to the program in late November, they will carry with them invaluable expertise. They will also need to keep improving as players since we have a ton of new, talented guys who are eager to show their worth.

 

Head Coach of Fijian Drua

Mick Byrne

Team Development

Six players were promoted to the Super Rugby Pacific team, demonstrating the continued success of the Drua’s development program. Their advancement makes room for six gifted youths to join the 12-person development team in 2024. This team is selected from the Skipper Cup, the Fiji U20s, and the local Deans Secondary Schools competition. The following individuals are joining the development team: Maika Tuitubou (Centre), Simeli Tuiteci (Centre), Isikeli Basiyalo (Fullback), Aisea Nawai (Flyhalf), Isoa Tuwai (Backrow), and Mesake Vocevoce (Lock). Jone Naqiri (loosehead prop), Fredrick Ralulu (backrow), Joji Kunavula (backrow), Aisea Tuisese (center), and Jack Volavola (fullback) are the players in their second year of play.

Tela Teti

Flyhalf and veteran Teti Tela, who is retiring from first class rugby, has officially said goodbye to the Drua. Tela, who leads the Drua in scoring with 124 points, played a crucial role in the team’s first two seasons, making 24 appearances.

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In addition to being a fantastic musician, Teti is a great buddy. His professionalism is admired by all members of the Drua organization, including the players, coaches, and administrative personnel.

 

“For a young Club like ours, the positive impact that Teti has had on his fellow Drua players and colleagues is profound,” said CEO Mark Evans in appreciation of Tela’s contributions to the Drua and Fiji Rugby. We know that he and his lovely young family will be following and supporting their Drua in 2024 and beyond, even if we will miss having him in our squad. We all give Teti our deepest gratitude for his service with a vinaka vakalevu.

On February 24, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will play their season opener at Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei versus the Blues.

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