Fijian Drua name pair of U20 playmakers to start against Blues

In their opening Super Rugby Pacific season starting XV, the Fijian Drua have selected two rookie playmakers to start against the Blues in Whangarei.

The team named Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, born in 2004, will start at number ten. Isikeli Rabitu, the fullback, was born in 2005 and is still eligible to play for the Fiji U20 team.

While first-choice playmaker Caleb Muntz continues to recover from the knee injury that kept him out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the two will acquire invaluable experience.

Drua captain Meli Derenalagi told RugbyPass last week that his squad will go into the 2024 campaign with confidence and vigour from the experience of the previous 12 months. The team is coming off of a quarterfinal place in the competition the year before and a top-eight finish at the most recent World Cup.

The 18 Drua players competing in the World Cup campaign will balance out the inexperience of the rookies; Mesake Doge, an international veteran, is the only player older than thirty on the squad.

Iosefo Masi and Apisalome Vota will play in the midfield, while Frank Lomani will assist the youthful players in directing the ship from halfback. On the wings, Selestino Ravutaumada and Epili Momo deliver the last touches.

Kemu Valentini, who gained notoriety in 2023 as a clutch kicker, provides a more seasoned playmaker option off the bench.

The Fijian Drua squad will play the Blues:

Tevita Ikanivere and Livai Natave
Doge Mesake
Nasilasila Isoa
Rotuisolia Leone
Waqa Etonia
Ella Canakaivata
Meli Derenalagi (c)
Lomani, Frank
Isaiah Ravula Armstrong
Selestino The Ravutaumada
Iosefo Apisalome Vota Masi Epelei Momo Rabitu Isikeli
Mesulame Dolokoto, Emosi Tuqiri, Jone Koroiduadua, Mesake Vocevoce, Peni Matawalu, Kemu Valetini, Vilive Miramira, and Tudraki Samusamuvodre are the replacements.

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