Fijian Drua boost engine room with announcement of five new forwards
The Fijian Drua have continued their off-season signing spree with the addition of five new players to their inaugural Super Rugby Pacific squad.
In the fifth wave of player announcements made by the new expansion franchise, the Drua confirmed the arrivals of props Manasa Saulo and Samuela Tawake, loose forwards Kitione Salawa Junior and Joseva Tamani, and lock Sorovakatini Tuifagalele.
With 47 test caps and two World Cup appearances to his name, Saulo is by far the most experienced of the newly-named quintet.
The 32-year-old joins the Drua from Rugby United New York in Major League Rugby [MLR] and has previous playing experience with Toulon and London Irish in Europe.
Interim chief executive Brian Thorburn said the acquisition of someone with Saulo’s experience is crucial for the Drua given the youthfulness of the squad.
“We are delighted to reveal our most senior squad member in Manasa Saulo,” Thorbun said.
“As Drua No 23, he brings a vast wealth of knowledge and experience to what will be a very young squad. He has been to two Rugby World Cups and fans will remember him as part of a scrum that surprised the Wallabies in 2015.
“Manasa is a real product of the Fijian rugby system, having been a part of the national age-group teams, Sukuna Bowl and provincial rugby.
“He is also an international journeyman, playing the top-level competitions of France with Toulon and the UK with London Irish. His experience will be invaluable.”
Saulo will be joined in the front row by one-test youngster Tawake, who has professional pedigree by having played for Canterbury and Manwatu in New Zealand’s NPC, as well as Rugby United New York in the MLR.
“Samuela Tawake is one of our rising stars who has already earned a Flying Fijians cap,” Thorburn said.
“He also came through our U20s programme, has played for Canterbury and Manawatu in New Zealand’s NPC, and is well known for both his scrummaging and mobility around the park. We know he will fight hard for a place in our matchday squads.”
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A product of Fiji’s sevens system, Salawa Junior is one of the youngest members of the Drua squad at the age of just 20, but Thorburn expects him to make an impact at the franchise, where he will play alongside a number of fellow sevens stars.
“Kitione Salawa Junior, is a star from our domestic competition and sevens programme. At just 20, he was a strong contender for a place in that final squad to the Tokyo Olympics.
“He is young, fit, and is absolutely eager to go. In a squad of talented back rowers, I expect that he will make the coaching staff take notice.”
It’s in the loose forwards where Salawa Junior will compete for starting roles with Tamani, who is a former squad member of the Waratahs in Super Rugby and the Melbourne Rising in the now-defunct National Rugby Championship.
“After making waves for Ovalau domestically, he has been with the Melbourne Rising in Australia’s NRC competition,” Thorburn said of Tamani, who can also cover lock.
“He has also been part of the wider Waratahs squad as an injury cover in 2021 Super Rugby, so has already been exposed to this environment.
“Joseva is another one of those forwards who can run like backs that Fiji is blessed with, and we’re excited about what he brings to the Fijian Drua.”
Tuifagalele, meanwhile, is an experienced second rower within the Fijian domestic game, and Thorburn said it was exciting for a homegrown player to be rewarded with a Super Rugby contract.
“He brings his strong domestic rugby and Fijian Latui experience, along with his try scoring prowess to our squad. He has been consistent in his local performances and now has the opportunity to make a name for himself in Super Rugby.
“It is always a proud moment for all of us at the Fijian Drua and Fiji Rugby when a homegrown talent like him is rewarded with a professional contract.”
Confirmed Fijian Drua signings for 2021 Super Rugby Pacific
Props: Jone Koroiduadua, Manasa Saulo, Samuela Tawake, Melu Tuni, Kaliopasi Uluilakepa
Hooker: Tevita Ikanivere
Locks: Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Chris Minimbi, Isoa Nasilasila, Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, Sorovakatini Tuifagalele
Loose Forwards: Meli Derenalagi, Raikabula Momoedonu, Nemani Nagusa, Rusiate Nasova, Kitione Salawa Junior, Joseva Tamani
Halfbacks: Simione Kuruvoli, Ratu Peni Matawalu, Serupepeli Vularika
First-Fives: Napolioni Bolaca, Kitione Taliga
Midfielders: Vinaya Habosi, Kalione Nasoko, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Apisalome Vota
Outside Backs: Onisi Ratave
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Comments on RugbyPass
It was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to comments