Saturday 4 March 7:35 pm AEDT – Fijian Drua v NSW Waratahs at AAMI Park,
DRUA (1-15): Jone Tiko, Tevita Ikanivere (c), Samuela Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Joseva Tamani, Kitione Salawa, Te Ahiwararu Cirikidaveta, Frank Lomani, Caleb Muntz, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese
RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Livai Natave, Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, Sorovakatini Tuifagalele, Elia Canakaivata, Peni Matawalu, Teti Tela, Taniela
Super Rugby Pacific post- COVID19 will finally be realised this year with all the sound, colour and vibrancy of the Pacific Islands.
The Drua will play six home matches in Fiji. Last year there were only two .
The Samoan capital of Apia will also play host to a first-ever Super Rugby match this year.
Moana Pasifika is based in Auckland and the team is made up of players from various Pacific Island nations, however it has a partnership with the Samoa Tourism Authority, fostering close links with the country.
On the other hand, the Fijian Drua is a fully home-grown enterprise.
The Fiji Rugby Union can now provide a complete pathway for players from schoolboy level to the very top without losing talent to overseas clubs.
The Drua’s inclusion in Super Rugby enticed many Fijian players back home.
Frank Lomani and Mesake Doge left lucrative UK contracts to pull on the Drua jersey.
Wallabies star Lote Tuqiri’s nephew Emosi Tuqiri left the Melbourne Rebels, and Iosefo Masi returned to both Fiji and rugby union from a development contract with the NRL’s North Queensland Cowboys.
The Waratahs have shelved their dual openside experiment after just one game, with Charlie Gamble dropped to the bench for Saturday’s clash with the Drua.
NSW coach Darren Coleman opted to use Gamble at No.8 alongside Michael Hooper against the Brumbies but it backfired somewhat in a 31-25 loss.
“What Lord (Brumbies assistant coach Laurie Fisher) does with their breakdown and D (defence) is unbelievable,” Waratahs lock Jed Holloway said.
“He is a great coach and you can see the way they play. They just attack our breakdown and get pay from it. We weren’t where we needed to be, and we paid for it.”
Newly capped Wallabies No.8 Langi Gleeson will start at the boot of the scrum instead, while there are also two change to the tight five.
Hugh Sinclair starts at lock ahead of Taleni Seu while Tom Lambert comes in for the injured Angus Bell at loosehead prop.
Sydney University prop Daniel Botha and former Australian sevens flyer Ben Dowling are in line for Waratahs debuts off the bench, where there is no place for Nemani Nadolo.
WARATAHS (1-15): Tom Lambert, Dave Porecki, Archer Holz, Jed Holloway, Hugh Sinclair, Lachlan Swinton, Michael Hooper, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Max Jorgensen, Lalakai Foketi, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Ben Donaldson
RESERVES: Tolu Latu, Te Tera Faulkner, Dan Botha, Taleni Seu, Will Harris, Charlie Gamble, Harrison Goddard, Ben Dowling
Referee: Jordan Way
Assistant referees: Nic Berry, Angus Mabey
The Waratahs should win this one, JUST, but will get beaten up, along the way. The Drua are fierce competitors and will not miss with there tackles. If you are betting see if you can get odds of plus 8 for the Drua.
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