Drua Departure Delay OK: Thorburn

The Fijian Drua’s departure for Brisbane in preparation for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season has been delayed to a week.

Initial plan for the team to leave today for Australia is now shifted to next Saturday, October 23.

Drua interim chief executive officer, Brian Thorburn said yesterday the delay was due to organising finer details of the players.

The Fiji Rugby Union has so far named 27 players with the remaining 10 players expected to be named today.

“It’s only one week delay,” Thorburn said.

“Simply we have a lot to organise from assembling players, getting all their details and visas, arranging camp exemptions as well as quarantine matter,” he said.

“We need a bit of time to get things organised.”

With about three months to go, Thorburn has assured that the delay in departure, will not affect their preparation.

“Regarding our preparations - absolutely nothing will affect our meeting up with overseas based players and preparations.

“We actually want to have excess to training by mid-November; with the revised departure time we arrive into Brisbane the week before that.”

Regarding Drua coach Mike Byrne’s reaction on the delay Thorburn said: “He is very relaxed about it. He’s actually got adequate time to prepare the team before the competition starts.

“The plan is that they fly out of Nadi on Saturday next week and will be in quarantine in Sydney for two weeks before they go to the base camp.”

The Drua base camp will be announced later as well as the teams they will face for their warm up matches.

The Fijian Drua’s Super Rugby Pacific debut match is on February 18 with a 15-week regular season followed by quarter-finals, semifinals and a final.

Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua join the 10 New Zealand and Australian sides in a 12-team tournament.

Delivered by the joint venture partnership between New Zealand Rugby and Rugby Australia, Super Rugby Pacific will culminate in a final on June 18.

The 27 players selected so far in the Fijian Drua team are: PropsKaliopasi Uluilakepa, Jone Koroiduadua, Meli Tuni, Manasa Saulo, Samuela Tawake, HookerTevita Ikanivere, Locks- Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Leone Rotuisolia, Chris Minimbi, Isoa Nasilasila, Flankers- Rusiate Nasove, Raika Momoedonu, Kitione Salawa, Meli Derenalagi and Nemani Nagusa, Scrum-halves- Simione Kuruvoli and Peni Matawalu,

First-five eight- Napolioni Ratu,

Centres- Serupepeli Vularika, Kalivati Ravouvou, Kalione Nasoko, Jone Vota, Wing- Vinaya Habosi,

Fullback Kitione Taliga.

Head coach: Mike Byrne. Head of Athletic Performance: Nacani