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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.
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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”.
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“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.”
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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
Comments on RugbyPass
Ah, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
48 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
22 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
22 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
22 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
22 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
22 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
17 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
17 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to comments