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'Really gaining momentum now': Fijian Drua confirm 6 more signings
By Sam Smith
Fijian Drua, the new Super Rugby Pacific franchise, had continued their recruitment drive ahead of the maiden 2022 campaign by confirming the names of the latest six players to sign up to play for head coach Mick Byrne's new team. Two more sets of players will be added next week.
The latest new additions are Northland's Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, the ex-Fijian and New Zealand age-group prop who spent some time at the Hurricanes, ex-NRC Drua centre Apisalome Vota, 2016 Rio Olympics Fiji 7s gold medallist Kitione Taliga, Fiji U20s lock Isoa Nasilasila, Nadroga flanker Rusiate Nasove and Sydney University second-rower Ratu Leone Rotuisolia.
Interim CEO Brian Thorburn said: “We are really gaining momentum now as we announce Fijian Drua players 17 through 22. Fans will again notice a strong focus on our young stars coming through our highly efficient domestic high-performance pathways, something we at the Drua and Fiji rugby are very proud of.
"Fans will also note the return of former NRC Drua players. Many of the players know each other and other members of the wider squad, which is always a plus. Kaliopasi is an outstanding addition to the Fijian Drua and we are delighted to welcome him back into our vuvale.
"He is already well known in Fiji as a school shot putt record holder and has played alongside other Fijian Drua squad members for Marist Brothers High School team.
"We are very proud to confirm that Kaliopasi has declared his eligibility for Fiji and the Flying Fijians. This is one of the key objectives of the Fijian Drua and a massive boost for our national side. We can’t wait to watch this 22-year old showcase his prowess in Super Rugby.
“It is equally great to see 2016 Olympics gold medallist Kitione Taliga work his way into the squad, having previously featured for the NRC outfit in 2018. Kitione is a two-time HSBC World Rugby Sevens series winner with the Fijian 7s. He brings in experience from his time at Stade Français in the top tier of France’s Top 14 competition. Fijian fans are well aware of his creativity on the park as a fly-half, full-back or backline utility.”
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Latest Comments
Nah, that just needs some more variation. Chip kicks, grubber stabs, all those. Will Jordan showed a pretty good reason why the rush was bad for his link up with BB.
If you have an overlap on a rush defense, they naturally cover out and out and leave a huge gap near the ruck.
It also helps if both teams play the same rules. ARs set the offside line 1m past where the last mans feet were😅
Go to commentsYeah nar, should work for sure. I was just asking why would you do it that way?
It could be achieved by outsourcing all your IP and players to New Zealand, Japan, and America, with a big Super competition between those countries raking it in with all of Australia's best talent to help them at a club level. When there is enough of a following and players coming through internally, and from other international countries (starting out like Australia/without a pro scene), for these high profile clubs to compete without a heavy australian base, then RA could use all the money they'd saved over the decades to turn things around at home and fund 4 super sides of their own that would be good enough to compete.
That sounds like a great model to reset the game in Aus. Take a couple of decades to invest in youth and community networks before trying to become professional again. I just suggest most aussies would be a bit more optimistic they can make it work without the two decades without any pro club rugby bit.
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