Voka Leads Drua
Co-captains are Joeli Veitayaki, Eremasi Radrodro and Serupepeli Vularika
Mosese Voka will lead the Fiji Airways Drua in their first match against Melbourne Rising at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori on September 1. The Yasawa native is not new to the job after he took over the captaincy role last September when John Stewart suffered a concussion. Since then, he has been leading the Namosi team in the Skipper Cup Premiership and HFC Bank Farebrother Trophy challenges.
Fiji Airways Drua Head Coach, Senirusi Seruvakula said, “Certainly Voka is one of the stand out players and he will be the captain for the Drua in 2018.” Seruvakula has also named three co-captains to assist Voka for the 2018 National Rugby Championship (NRC) that will be played over seven consecutive weeks with no bye with an additional two weeks for the semis and finals.
“We also have Eremasi Radrodro, Joeli Veitayaki, Serupepeli Vularika, so those are the co-captains,” he said.
Seruvakula added that nippy halfback Peni Matawalu is expected to return to training today after recovering from his ankle injury. Last week the team met for the first time in Nadi and rounded off their training at the Sigatoka sand dunes on Saturday morning.
The 33-member squad returned to camp in Nadi yesterday.
The Fiji Airways Drua will kick off with two home matches against the Melbourne Rising and Brisbane City on September 8 to mark the fifth season of the NRC will see the tournament contested under a new format and reduced from nine to eight teams. The eight teams for the 2018 NRC season include the Canberra Vikings, NSW Country Eagles, the Sydney Rays, Brisbane City, Queensland Country, Melbourne Rising, Western Force and the Fiji Airways Drua.
The Fiji Airways Drua team provides a pathway for players vying for a spot in the Swire Shipping Fiji Warriors and the Fiji Airways Flying Fijian teams.
The Fiji Airways Drua squad sees a good combination of experienced and young players who have either represented the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians, Swire Shipping Fiji Warriors and have played in the FRU’s provincial competition, the Skipper Cup Premiership, Vodafone Vanua Championship and the HDC Bank Farebrother Trophy challenge.
Seruvakula says that the competition will be more competitive than last year. “We are racing against time and I need to prepare the team for the tough competition ahead.
“There are only seven teams in this year’s competition and there is no bye, which means that we will be playing every week, so there is a need for the team to maintain consistency in their training and recovery.”
Meanwhile, the players that have been named in the shadow squad are on standby and are not required to assemble in camp but should continue with their Daily Training Exercises (DTE) at the HPU Gyms closest to them.
The Fiji Airways Drua Selected Extended Team:
Forwards - Eroni Mawi, Joeli Veitayaki, Mateo Qolisese, Ratunaisa Navuma, Mesulame Dolokoto, Vugakoto Veremalua, Mosese Ducivaki, Luke Tagi, Alivereti Rabukawaqa, Tevita Naqali, Peni Naulago, Albert Tuisue, Mosese Voka, Johnny Dyer Jone Navori, Filimoni Seru, Eremasi Radrodro, Peni Raidre.
Backs - Serupepeli Vularika, Frank Lomani, Peni Matawalu, Alivereti Veitokani, Jone Manu, Cyril Reece, Jona Sawailau, Poasa Waqanibau, Apisalome Vota, Asesela Atunaisa, Avete Daveta, Levani Kurumudu, Aporosa Tabulawaki, Apisalome Waqatabu, Enele Malele.
Shadow Players – Atunaisa Maiono, Seru Cakobau, Penijamini Makutu, Samuela Saqiwa, Sailosi Dawai, Elia Canakaivata, Aisea Natoga, Veramu Dikidikilati, Peni Vukayawa, Apenisa Deve, Joseva Turuva, Asesela Ratudamu.