Strength In Depth

We know Rising will bring a powerful side and we want to make sure when we get to the last 20 minutes we can apply strong pressure off the bench-Coach Senirusi Seruvakula.

Fiji Airways Drua Head Coach Senirusi Seruvakula has named 11 capped Flying Fijians, a young, powerful front row and plenty of depth on the bench in his team to contest round one of the Australian National Rugby Championship (NRC) against Melbourne Rising on Saturday.

The match at Ratu Cakobau Park kicking off at 3pm will see the NRC debuts of Serupepeli Vularika and Enele Matele as well as the return to Fijian rugby for Johnny Dyer and Poasa Waqanibau. Facing a Super Rugby laden Rising side, Seruvakula has opted for a forward heavy split off the bench, aiming to ensure his side can maintain pressure and strength for the full 80 minutes.

“We know the Rising will bring a powerful side, and we want to make sure when we get to the last 20 minutes we can apply strong pressure off the bench” he said. “Our young forward pack in Mawi, Vugakoto and Tagi will have a tough challenge against the Super Rugby players, but I believe they will match up well on Saturday.” Despite the Melbourne Rising fielding a number of players from the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby squad, including Fijian favourite Isi Naisarani, Sefanaia Naivalu and Kitone Ratu, Seruvakula is keeping his side’s focus on their own task at hand.

“We won’t be concentrating too much on the individuals, rather I need the boys to just focus on our game plan and working hard to build that confidence in ourselves”.

Saturday’s day of rugby in Nausori will also see the Fiji Legends take on the Classic Wallabies including Stephen Moore, Lote Tuquiri, Radike Samo and Samu Kerevi at 2pm.

Tickets are selling for $10 from Nausori Town Council and the FRU with children U12 free.

Round One: Fiji Airways Drua to face the Melbourne Rising

1.Eroni Mawi, 2 Tuvere Vugakoto Veremalua, 3 Luke Tagi, 4. Peni Naulago, 5 Albert Tuisue, 6 Filimone Seru, 7 Mosese Voka (skipper), 8. Eremasi Radradro, 9 Frank Lomani, 10 Alivereti Veitokani, 11.Levani Kurumudu, 12 Cyril Reece, 13 Poasa Waqanibau, 14 Avete Daveta, 15 Apisalome Waqatubu.

Bench: 16 Ratunaisa Navuma, 17. Joeli Veitayaki, 18. Mosese Ducivaki, 19. Tevita Naqali, 20. Johnny Dyer, 21. Peni Raidre

22. Serupepeli Vularika, 23. Enele Malele

Photo: Zimbio Peni Raidre of Fiji Airways Drua poses during the 2018 National Rugby Championship season launch at Wests Rugby Club on August 28, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia..