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Super Rugby Pacific

Fijian Drua name 19-year-old to start at 10 against Hurricanes

By Ned Lester

100 days ago

Isikeli Rabitu of the Fijian Drua. Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images

The Drua host the undefeated Hurricanes in a round nine matchup that promises plenty of action, given the two sides boast the most and second most defenders beaten in Super Rugby Pacific 2024.

The Drua themselves are undefeated at home this season but will host the contest in Suva instead of their familiar Lautoka home ground.

Lock Isoa Nasilasila will make his anticipated return, being named in the No. 4 jersey along with Leone Rotuisolia in the second row.

Meli Derenalagi has been named on the bench for the contest, making way for Elia Canakaivata at No. 8. Hooker Tevita Ikanivere assumes the captaincy.

Impressive 20-year-old first five-eighth Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula gets a rest this week, meaning a first Super Rugby start for the even younger Isikeli Rabitu.

Simi Kurovoli dons the No. 9 jersey as Frank Lomani serves his suspension.

Fijian Drua team to face Hurricanes

1. Haereiti Hetet
2.         Tevita Ikanivere (c)
3.         Mesake Doge
4.         Isoa Nasilasila
5.         Leone Rotuisolia
6.         Vilive Miramira
7.         Kitione Salawa
8.         Elia Canakaivata
9.         Simi Kuruvoli
10.       Isikeli Rabitu
11.       Epeli Momo
12.       Kemu Valetini
13.       Iosefo Masi
14.       Selestino Ravutaumada
15.       Ilaisa Droasese

Reserves

16.       Zuriel Togiatama
17.       Livai Natave
18.       Samu Tawake
19.       Mesake Vocevoce
20. Meli Derenalagi
21.       Peni Matawalu
22.      Michael Naitokani
23.       Junior Ratuva

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Comments

1 Comment

Jon 98 days ago

Really hope Kuruvoli and his partner rock the Canes.

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Ardy 5 hours ago

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The VAR was established based on a false premise that the decisions would be correct. All that has happened is another referee with their own biases comes to a different opinion. We need to accept that the referee with assistants are the final arbiters of the game and only use a video review in the case of tries. Installing this level of review shows up the complexity and difficulty of getting decisions accurate at all times. It is a waste of time and money in a game with more stoppages than most, it is very frustrating to those watching the game and that is what it was supposed to fix.

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JD Kiwi 6 hours ago

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Hi Nick, maybe the RFU coaches think that Asher Opoku-Fordjour isn't bulky enough for tighthead? I remember as a Sale fan thinking how small he looked coming on against Quins, expecting him to get mullered, only to be amazed at how well he held his own.

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Tom 9 hours ago

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My first thought was “damn that's a good Lions backrow, Lawes, Willis, Simmonds” my second thought was “why the fk aren't any of these guys playing for England?!”

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Bull Shark 10 hours ago

A 2025 overseas British & Irish Lions XV

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Tom 11 hours ago

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RW 12 hours ago

There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

Improve the the chat, block Turlough

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DP 12 hours ago

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Now lets see what happens to the two French “alleged” rapists in Argentina…

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Rob 13 hours ago

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Good

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Bull Shark 14 hours ago

There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

It’s all going to come down to kicking form. I suspect if Libbok shines up on his kicking in training he’d start with DW at 15 and SFM covering 23. Getting yanked if it’s a tight game. But it won’t be long until SFM is the incumbent 10.

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DG 16 hours ago

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RugbyAnalysis 16 hours ago

Why England should take Joe Marler’s advice and build for the future in the front row

Thanks Nella, a very interesting approach to the problems of front rows and the scrum in particular. I work as a data analyst for a club that is strongly based on a vertical style of play, and I have rediscovered the technical vitality of front row play and the radical importance of set pieces. The game is populated by hundreds of details that we do not perceive and that make the potential difference between winning and losing. In Argentina we call 'Mañas' these differential capacities that inhabit this type of player (´Tricks´ in English...?).

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Turlough 16 hours ago

There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

I think SAs problem is one of arrogance. Their boasting and goading before the Irish series was a perfect example of it. Ebens blood covered face is a good reminder of where lack of humility gets you. Hopefully they can proceed with more honour and less arrogance from now on. Pollard kicked 100% versus Ireland and still lost. Change it now.

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MO 16 hours ago

South Africa stun New Zealand as men’s Olympic sevens semi-finals set

SA deserved the win, ABs were error prone and I believe a little complacent. I am assuming a Fiji vs France final, unless the Boks can destoy Dupont’s dream again.

23 Go to comments

WR 16 hours ago

There's only one answer to the Springboks' fly-half conundrum

Tough one but I disagree. Putting Libbok in most matches will cost us. Especially against better teams. He just doesn't have what it takes. Aside from his kicking woes, he is a very good player. Pollard are the best option for tough games, but SFM is the best choice for me. He can do what both other players can do. He can play more positions than them. He is the best SA have now and will be for a very long time to come. We have an absolute super star like Kolbe, KLA and Moody in SFM. Time to get him in that 10 jersey and let him show case his absolute class. To let him grow and learn all he can from Tony Brown as we won't have TB for always. Most likely only until 2027. NZ will want him back. Time to cash in and go for broke. ML as an impact player might be a better option unless it's against a top 5 team, then best to have HP on the bench in case. That's not experience that can be chucked away. That would be stupid. We have WLR and DW at 15, HP and SFM at flyhalf. If anything, why not see how ML performs as a a scrum half? I know it's not his usual position, but he can be converted. You can't exchange what (in my personal opinion) is one of the best centre pairings currently in the world for ML or HP. That would be a disaster. No, we need HP at least on the bench playing top 5 in the WR.

35 Go to comments

WR 17 hours ago

South Africa stun New Zealand as men’s Olympic sevens semi-finals set

Well, on X they claim they beat SA by 2-1 and won the series against SA. Nevermind that it's 2 different competitions with completely different players, and a completely different country. AGAIN, they think that talking about it and claiming it, that they are the winners. That they DESERVE IT. Yet, as per usual, they CHOKED AGAIN in the quarterfinals. The Boks had 2 good games. That's it. The French is a different story altogether. They know how to reach a final. 2 games to go for either Gold or Bronze. Good news that, but coming in 4th don't get medals, so the Boks have to get in the final to be assured of a medal. It won't be easy. Only teams that CAN play is still in the competition, not teams that thinks talking themselves into a medal will get them a medal. Fiji is now the favorites would be my guess, but anyone can take it from here. Good luck Boks!! As usual you have my full support💯

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Mzilikazi 17 hours ago

James Horwill: ''You can't tell me the code’s in trouble when you see every ticket's sold.'

Thanks , Brett. It will be a very powerful Lions team, but the WB’s will be stronger too, would be my feeling. I don’t see it being all one way traffic.

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StephenE 17 hours ago

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Not sure what the logic is… Rugby Sevens is a different discipline to 15 man Rugby so can’t be compared or used as a decider. Series was a draw, unfortunately no deciding match. South Africa are WC Champions and No. 1 in the world rankings, surely that is proof enough that there is no doubt who the better team is.

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Bull Shark 17 hours ago

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I see shifting from 7s to 15s as a pretty logical and good developmental step for good rugby players. But going 15s to 7s makes little sense for most. Which is why I agree AdP is a freak. Which is why France will win the gold and smash everyone as the rightful no.1 favourites!

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Bull Shark 17 hours ago

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Let the disparagement and abuse BEGIN! Pity Ireland can’t lose without (some fools) feeling sorry for themselves. Attitude determines your altitude.

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WR 17 hours ago

South Africa stun New Zealand as men’s Olympic sevens semi-finals set

My comment disappeared

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