27 - 10

Caleb Muntz returns for Fijian Drua against Highlanders

21 May 2024

Caleb Muntz of Fiji passes the ball during the Summer International match between England and Fiji at Twickenham Stadium on August 26, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

The last time playmaker Caleb Muntz took to the rugby field, it was a historic day for Fijian rugby as the Flying Fijians beat England for the very first time at Twickenham.

The Drua will be hoping for their own piece of history this weekend as they chase a maiden win over the Highlanders in a crucial clash with potential consequences for their 2024 playoff dreams.

Muntz is set for a season debut off the bench after injuring his knee on the eve of the Rugby World Cup last year, a timely return given what’s at stake for the team.

Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula retains the starting No. 10 jersey for now, playing outside Simi Kuruvoli in the halves.

Iceman Kemu Valetini and star centre Iosefo Masi make up the midfield, while Epeli Momo and Salestino Ravutaumada line up the wings. Ilaisa Droasese continues to serve as the team’s fullback.

The powerful front row of Jone Koroiduadua, captain Tevita Ikanivere and Mesake Doge will face off with a Highlanders front row headlined by Ethan de Groot.

Mesake Vocevoce and the talented Isoa Nasilasila ake up the second row while Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa and Elia Canakaivata have been named as the loose forward trio.

Drua stream to face the Highlanders

Jone Koroiduadua
Tevita Ikanivere (C)
Mesake Doge
Mesake Vocevoce
Isoa Nasilasila
Etonia Waqa
Kitione Salawa
Elia Canakaivata
Simi Kuruvoli
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
Epeli Momo
Kemu Valetini
Iosefo Masi
Selestino Ravutaumada
Ilaisa Droasese

Impact

16.       Zuriel Togiatama
17.       Emosi Tuqiri
18.       Samu Tawake
19.       Leone Rotuisolia
20.       Vilive Miramira
21.       Peni Matawalu
22.       Caleb Muntz
23.       Taniela Rakuro

Comments

0 Comments

Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Latest Features

LONG READ

Sam Davies: 'In Wales every mistake I made was put under the magnifying glass'

Rejuvenated and on course for Top 14 promotion with Grenoble, the Welsh pivot explains why leaving home rekindled his zest for rugby.

LONG READ

Jonny Hill: Tractor tyres, trophies and the fan altercation at the Rec

As he prepares to leave England, Jonny Hill reflects on Lions, trophies, and the altercation with a Bath fan at the Rec.

LONG READ

Brendan Fanning: 'Lancaster is unique in the list of Connacht coaches that will have an immediately positive effect on morale'

The recruitment of the former England and Leinster head coach brought a frisson of excitement to Connacht fans of sunnier times ahead

Comments on RugbyPass

JD Kiwi 9 minutes ago

‘Title win could set Chiefs up to build a Super Rugby dynasty’

No idea

10 Go to comments

CG 33 minutes ago

Should the All Blacks return the fabled number seven jersey to Ardie Savea?

If the Friz is back then yes Ardie at seven if not then Karifi at seven

Popalili is a big strong fast suitcase and blacky has a very solid head

240 Go to comments

Derek Murray 42 minutes ago

Why Brumbies could be key to avoiding a Lions tour cricket score

Wow, Hooper’s stats are impressive.

I have been unimpressed previously by Lonergan but his form over the last month or two, when it has mattered the most, has been top drawer.

I was very surprised you chose Foketi in your hybrid Brumbies’ side - he’s always been a favourite of mine but has looked old and slow this season. I think Lal’s time has passed.

55 Go to comments

Tommy B. 52 minutes ago

Rassie Erasmus wades into heated debate over Jaden Hendrikse antics

🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

I’ll go with one more because it’s so funny but then I must stop. There’s only so long you can talk to the nutter on the bus.

There is no legal impediment in the GFA to ANY form of border. It’s mentioned very briefly and ambiguously but even then there’s a caveat ‘if the security situation permits’ which is decided by the British government as the border is an internationally, UN recognised formal border between sovereign states. Now, you can argue that this is because it was assumed it would always be in the EU context - but we all know the issue with ‘assumption’. As to your hilarious drivel about what you think is in the GFA, you clearly haven’t read it or at best not understood it. There are still 1,580 British Army troops in NI. The legal status of NI as part of the UK is unchanged.

So, there was a problem for those that wanted to use the border to complicate any future British government changing regulations and trade arrangements through domestic legislation. Hence ‘hard border’ became ANYTHING that wasn’t a totally open border.

This allowed the EU and their fanatical Remainer British counterparts to imply that any form of administration AT the border was a ‘hard border.’ Soldiers with machine guns? Hard border. Old bloke with clipboard checking the load of every 200th lorry? Hard border. Anything in between? Hard Border. They could then use Gerry’s implicit threats to any ‘border officials’ to ensure that there would be an unique arrangement so that if any future parliament tried to change trade or administrative regulations for any part of the UK (which the EU was very worried about) some fanatical Remainer MP could stand up and say - ‘this complicates the situation in NI.’

You’ve just had a free lesson in the complex politics that went WAY over your head at the time. You’re welcome.

Now, I must slowly back out of the room, and bid you good day, as you’re clearly a nutter.

584 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 1 hour ago

Why the Gallagher Premiership is setting the gold standard in club rugby

Yeah, urc way more stable. You only have to look at Cardiff where, despite their own wobbles, the wru stepped in and ensured everything didn’t fall into bankruptcy. Currencies relatively simple to manage, F1 do it but the really interesting scenario would be if a Craig, Lansdowne, Altrad type came along and decided to really go for it in the URC!

117 Go to comments

PB 1 hour ago

Rassie Erasmus names 54-man Springboks squad with 9 uncapped players

Junior Boks last won the U20 WC in 2012. Won the WC in 2019 and 2023.

So where is the correlation?

Part of your answer is in that at U20 level the coaches are still balancing quota numbers.

Many fine young players end up playing for Euro clubs instead.

18 Go to comments

fl 2 hours ago

Only two Lions make Gallagher Premiership team of the season

Cotgreave

2 Go to comments

SC 2 hours ago

‘Title win could set Chiefs up to build a Super Rugby dynasty’

Does McKenzie have another sabbatical in his new contract?

10 Go to comments

SC 2 hours ago

‘Title win could set Chiefs up to build a Super Rugby dynasty’

To be fair, I do not believe ALB or Havili should be selected for the All Blacks again. There are simply younger and better midfielders.

10 Go to comments

SL 2 hours ago

How new Wales coach Halfpenny feels replacing 'one of the best that there has ever been'

Like everything else with the Welsh team, they clung on to Jenkins for too long. He was a goal kicker foremost, distributor second and tactical kicking and running well down the order. He did well with Halfpenny but that was down to the player being dedicated and to some extent with Biggar. But place kicking has deteriorated in the last 5 years and tactical kicking and skills have been non-existent in the last 2 or 3 years. Jenkins’ role is no longer valid and he should be thanked and moved on.

1 Go to comments

JD 2 hours ago

Fiji name squad for pivotal Tests after ex-captain Nayacalevu retires

They managed to nab Rayasi from Samoa I see, great coup.

1 Go to comments

fl 2 hours ago

Rassie Erasmus names 54-man Springboks squad with 9 uncapped players

SA haven’t won it very frequently, but they’re equal 1st for SF appearances, and have finished in the top 3 more than anyone else. France were patchy at senior level before they began performing well in the u20s, and improved rapidly thereafter. There’s an extremely strong correlation between how good a team is at u20 level, and how good they are at senior level.

Its certainly possible that Rassie will pull a rabbit out of the hat and suddenly unearth a load of young talent, but there’s absolutely no evidence to suggest that that would be likely.

18 Go to comments

IkeaBoy 2 hours ago

Rassie Erasmus wades into heated debate over Jaden Hendrikse antics

NOT EVEN CLOSE!!!

You are a weapons grade moron!

A ‘hard border’ would refer to the only time a physical, manned border has or would have existed on the island. It could NOT be enforceable.

An armed British army presence on the Island can’t happen under the GFA and passing the border duties onto a police force would make them the legal definition of a paramilitary force!!!!

Even BORIS wasn’t so thick that he couldn’t grasp this! 😝

Correction - you didn’t have the largest empire in history. You LOST the largest empire in history!

You have a life? Do you have an empire?

584 Go to comments

Tommy B. 3 hours ago

Rassie Erasmus wades into heated debate over Jaden Hendrikse antics

2024 ‘race riots’? What are you banging on about? Hilarious for a country about to be split asunder and burning down asylum seeker hotels. Wonder if Conor McGregor will be your next President? Would just about sum you up.

I can’t carry on with this back an forth with two mental patients. Unlike you I’ve got a life.

584 Go to comments

Carlos 3 hours ago

Why Brumbies could be key to avoiding a Lions tour cricket score

Nick, it’s “finals” rugby. Drops are three points still. You should have at least three players that can drop kick from those distances.