1
Fijian Drua name eight changes from team that beat Crusaders
By Ned Lester
The Fijian Drua will look to back up their big win over the reigning Super Rugby Pacific champion Crusaders with a new-look 23 against the Chiefs.
Four players have been shifted into the starting unit with a further four cracking the bench for the first time this season.
After a Man of the Match performance in round three, halfback Frank Lomani will be absent in Hamilton, with Simione Kuruvoli named at nine.
He'll partner the young and promising Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula at 10 in a backline that features perhaps the competition's form winger in Salestino Ravutaumada.
The explosive back row of Etonia Waqa, Vilive Miramira and captain Meli Derenalagi keep their strong combination intact along with Mesake Vocevoce and Leone Rotuisolia at lock.
The front row sees a change with Haereiti Hetet, Mesulame Dolokoto and Jone Koroiduadua set to square off with the Chiefs’ big boys.
Fijian Drua team to face the Chiefs
- Haereiti Hetet
- Mesulame Dolokoto
- Jone Koroiduadua
- Mesake Vocevoce
- Leone Rotuisolia
- Etonia Waqa
- Vilive Miramira
- Meli Derenalagi
- Simione Kuruvoli
- Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
- Junior Ratuva
- Michael Naitokani
- Iosefo Masi
- Selestino Ravutaumada
- Ilaisa Droasese
Reserves
16. Zuriel Togitama
17. Emosi Tuqiri
18. Samuela Tawake
19. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
20. Elia Canakaivata
21. Peni Matawalu
22. Kemu Valetini
23. Taniela Rakuro
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Stuart Lancaster 'wants out' of Racing 92 and eyeing Euro giants job
3
Henry Arundell lined up for early England homecoming
4
Government provides bleak assessment on the state of the Premiership
5
Latest Comments
It is if he thinks he’s got hold of the ball and there is at least one other player between him and the ball carrier, which is why he has to reach around and over their heads. Not a deliberate action for me.
Go to commentsI understand, but England 30 years ago were a set piece focused kick heavy team not big on using backs.
Same as now.
South African sides from any period will have a big bunch of forwards smashing it up and a first five booting everything in their own half.
NZ until recently rarely if ever scrummed for penalties; the scrum is to attack from, broken play, not structured is what we’re after.
Same as now.
These are ways of playing very ingrained into the culture.
If you were in an English club team and were off to Fiji for a game against a club team you’d never heard of and had no footage of, how would you prepare?
For a forward dominated grind or would you assume they will throw the ball about because they are Fijian?
A Fiji way. An English way.
An Australian way depends on who you’ve scraped together that hasn’t been picked off by AFL or NRL, and that changes from generation to generation a lot of the time.
Actually, maybe that is their style. In fact, yes they have a style.
Nevermind. Fuggit I’ve typed it all out now.
Go to comments