Fijian Drua name five more players in maiden Super Rugby Pacific squad
The Fijian Drua have announced the signings of five more players for their inaugural Super Rugby Pacific squad.
A week after the expansion franchise announced its first five players and former All Blacks and Wallabies skills coach Mick Byrne as its head coach for the next two seasons, the Drua have confirmed its second batch of players for next year.
Those players are Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Meli Derenalagi, 12-test utility back Serupepeli Vularika, former Fiji U20 loosehead prop Meli Tuni, uncapped utility back Vinaya Habosi and Tasman Mako lock Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta.
A veteran sevens star with leadership experience on the global stage, Derenalagi helped guide Fiji to its second successive Olympic gold medal in the men’s sevens event two months ago and will act as a loose forward option for the Drua.
Part of the Drua side that won the Australian NRC title in 2018 and the LA Giltinis team that won this year’s Major League Rugby championship, Vularika stands as one of the more experienced players that have been signed by the franchise.
After making his test debut for Fiji in 2016, the 29-year-old has gone on to play 12 tests for the Pacific Island nation and will be called upon to utilise that experience in the backline, where he can play halfback, second-five, wing and fullback.
Both Tuni and Habosi have starred for Suva and Namosi in the Skipper Cup, Fiji’s premier domestic competition, and have been part of Fijian representative teams at various levels.
A member of last year’s Fiji Warriors side, Tuni played three times for Fiji’s U20 side in 2019 and, at the age of just 21, looks to be a long-term prospect for the Drua.
Habosi, meanwhile, is capable of playing in the midfield, on the wing and at fullback and has been involved with both the Fijian sevens and Flying Fijians squads, although he is yet to be capped by either team.
Capable of playing in the loose forwards as well as in the second row, Cirikidaveta is set to add some steel to the Drua pack after having been part of the Tasman Mako set-up since 2017.
The New Zealand-born 23-year-old, who is also of Maori heritage and trained with the Crusaders during this year’s Super Rugby pre-season, won back-to-back NPC titles with the province over the past two seasons.
The added bonus of Cirikidaveta’s signing for Fiji is that he has declared his international allegiance for the nation upon the announcement of his deal with the Drua.
Moana Pasifika won’t be based in Samoa or Tonga for at least another seven years after it was announced that the Super Rugby Pacific expansion franchise will play out of Mt Smart Stadium until 2028. #MoanaPasifika #SuperRugbyPacific https://t.co/E4FDO2ekYN
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 28, 2021
“It is an honour and a remarkable accomplishment for us to have Te Ahiwaru declare his eligibility for the Flying Fijians and join the Fijian Drua for Super Rugby,” Fiji Rugby Union high performance general manager Simon Raiwalui said via a statement.
“He is a powerhouse forward, aggressive in both attack and defence, and is just as effective at lock as he is in the back row.
“We will benefit from his experience over a number of seasons with Tasman Mako, which includes back-to-back NPC Premiership wins.
“As a professional coming through an elite New Zealand pathway right from high school, Te Ahiwaru has a lot of offer especially to the younger members in our squad.”
Raiwalui also paid tribute to the other four players who have signed on with the Drua.
“At just 23, Ratu Meli’s contribution to Fijian rugby has already been immense. With his speed and ball handling skills, he adds dynamism to the squad as a back row forward or as a scrum anchor. His aerial skills make him a decent line-out option as well.
“We are very pleased to have our international utility Seru Vularika back. He has the ability to play halfback, inside centre, wing or fullback.
“Seru is creative, has a good kicking game, defends aggressively and makes the gain line in any position he plays, offering excellent options to the coaching staff.
“Young Meli Tuni is 21 years of age but has already been around the blocks – with Suva in the domestic competition, Fiji U20s and the Fijian Warriors.
“Likewise, Vinaya Habosi, also just 21, has already been a part of the wider Fijian sevens and Flying Fijians squads. He follows in the fine tradition of talented Fijian wingers who know their way to the tryline.
After the #AllBlacks snatched a late victory over the #Springboks in their 100th Test on Saturday, we look ahead to their rematch.#NZLvRSA https://t.co/C5BVZJ9XbC
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 27, 2021
“Both Meli and Vinaya have earned their place in the Fijian Drua squad.”
Last week, the Drua announced Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Napolioni Bolaca, one-test hooker Tevita Ikanivere, Bay of Plenty speedster Onisi Ratave, experienced loose forward Nemani Nagusa and young halfback Simione Kuruvoli as their first wave of players confirmed to play for the franchise next year.
The Drua are expected to announce the rest of its playing squad over the coming weeks, with pre-season scheduled to take place in Australia from mid-October.
Comments on RugbyPass
Shows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
4 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
4 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
4 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to comments