Isi On A Mission
The Rugby World Cup in Japan is a big dream of mine Donning Wallabies jersey in 2019 would be special; He is likely to be included in the Melbourne Rising team to play the Fiji Airways Fijian Drua next Saturday in Nausori; He played in the NRC in 2016
Fijian-born Isi Naisarani started his first day with the Melbourne Rebels yesterday.
The Naqali, Naitasiri native signed a one-year deal with Rugby Australia with the hopes of putting his 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign on track.
He is expected to make his first run in Melbourne Rising colours when they take on the Fiji Airways Fijian Drua side in the 2018 Australian National Rugby Championship opener set for next Saturday at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori.
Naisarani is likely to be joined by Wallabies’ Sefanaia Naivalu, Marika Koroibete, Matt Toomua, Dane Haylett-Petty and Reece Hodge if they are not considered for The Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup.
“Naisarani adds a real touch of X-factor and versatility in the backrow and we think he’ll compliment the strength of our forwards pack,” Melbourne Rebels coach David Wessels said.
Born in Suva, Naisarani first rose to prominence with Souths in Queensland Premier Rugby in 2016, impressing with his incredible ball carrying and big engine.
Naisarani was rewarded with selection in the Brisbane City squad for the 2016 NRC and made the most of his opportunity, as the 195cm backrower scored five tries and lead the competition in offloads despite a disappointing season for his team.
He then moved to Perth for his Super Rugby chance before teaming with the Dan McKellar at the Brumbies for the 2017 season.
The backrower lit up Super Rugby in his time at the Brumbies but re-joins former coach Wessels in Melbourne. Naisarani won the Nathan Sharpe Medal as the Western Force best-and-fairest under Wessels in 2017, as well as the RUPA Medal of Excellence before moving to Canberra.
The 23-year old will become eligible for the Wallabies in April 2019, as he pushes his case for selection at the Rugby World Cup in Japan next year.
“It’s been a big two years for me,” said Naisarani.
“I’m really excited to get down to Melbourne and team up with Dave at the Rebels. He’s had a big impact on me, and helping me to improve as a player. It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was playing for Brisbane City in the NRC but I know that I have to keep on working hard to improve myself as a player. The World Cup in Japan is a big dream of mine and obviously to pull on that gold jersey would be something very special,” he said.
Wessels added: “We’re very pleased to welcome Isi to Melbourne and it’s a testament to the high performance program we’re creating here at the Rebels to attract a player of Isi’s quality.”
“It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to work with Isi again. “He made a real impression straight away at the Western Force in his first year of Super Rugby, which is no easy feat to step straight into one of the toughest provincial rugby competitions in the world. Isi brings professionalism and work ethic on and off-the-track to everything he does.”
VALETINI GETS SECOND CHANCE
Rising Fijian star Rob Valetini gets a chance to play for the Canberra Vikings after back-to-back knee injuries snuffed out his 2018 Super Rugby season.
He along with Waratahs centre Irae Simone are two of 19 contracted Brumbies players named in the 33-man squad for the NRC.
He is the son of Fijian parents Manueli Valetini and mother Finau Valetini – the Melbourne-born Robert played for Melbourne Rising in 2016 Recently re-signed flanker Ben Hyne will skipper the side in the competition, taking over from Tom Cusack. Wallabies’ squad members Rory Arnold, Folau Faingaa and Tom Banks are all in the squad for the fifth iteration of the NRC.
The Vikings take on the Fiji Airways Fijian Drua on October 6 at Churchill Park, Lautoka at 3pm.
Vikings- Jacob Abel, Rory Arnold, Tom Banks, Max Bode, Bj Edwards, Enever, Folau Fainga’a, Vunipola Fifita, Seth Going, Mack Hansen, Wharenui Hawera, Ben Hyne (Captain), Len Ikitau, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Luke Kimber, Brodie Leber, Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan, Josh Mann-Rea, Connal McInerney, Andy Muirhead, Michael OakmanHunt. Chance Peni, Pedro Rolando, Tom Ross, Irae Simone, Darcy Swain. Lausii Taliauli, Sione Taula, Mitch Tye, Rob Valetini.