Minimal changes as the Drua eye another big win
Following their historic win over the defending champion Crusaders, the Fijian Drua have announced an unchanged 23-man player group for their hitout with the Reds at Suncorp Stadium.
Coach Mick Byrne has switched up the starting side though, with team captain Meli Derenalagi coming back into the No 8 jersey after featuring off the bench last week.
Also promoted to the starting side is Samuela Tawake, who claims the No 3 jersey and Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta at lock.
Despite the groundbreaking win over the Crusaders, Bryne told media that the team's focus quickly shifted to round four's contest, as the Reds pose a physical challenge for the Drua.
"They bring a physicality right across the board through the front row," he said. "The back row are hard men, and then out into the centres.
"And even right down to out wide, run hard, they'll come out as hard. And that's our prep. I think the physicality side of the game we love."
Byrne said that the team had their moment to celebrate the win but the young Fiji side are adapting well to life in Super Rugby Pacific and know there is a "long road ahead".
"We're not getting too far ahead of ourselves, we realise the Crusaders left a few All Blacks behind, and there are still a very good side. And they've done that in the past and had success."
"So we still had to build a very good team and with great depth and great leadership, and great coaching, so it was great for us.
"But we also understand that, three games in and there's a long road ahead. And while there was a great upset on the scoreboard, we've critiqued our performance and taken some great lessons from it.
"We've had our moment on the weekend to enjoy ourselves. But now we get on to the next job, and we enjoy preparing for the next week."
The Drua team to take on the Reds:
1. Meli Tuni
2. Tevita Ikanivere
3. Samuela Tawake
4. Isoa Nasilasila
5. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
6. Joseva Tamani
7. Kitione Salawa
8. Meli Derenalagi
9. Frank Lomani
10. Teti Tela
11. Eroni Sau
12. Apisalome Vota
13. Iosefo Masi
14. Selestino Ravutaumada
15. Ilaisa Droasese
Replacements:
16. Mesulame Dolokoto
17. Emosi Tuqiri
18. Jone Koroiduadua
19. Leone Rotuisolia
20. Elia Canakaivata
21. Peni Matawalu
22. Kemu Valetini
23. Kalaveti Ravouvou
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"aside from winning RWCs and playing some really good rugby?"
What a doos.
Go to commentsWell if you’re correct in that assertion then it blows up all of the numbers in the original post that came from, do you recognise the overall number or even the 300k residual for senior male player numbers in SA?
Tbf, even 300k senior players is an impressive resource, particularly if there is a residual of untapped school talent that could be developed if required and resources allow.
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