Byrne Looks at Getting Pieces Together
The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Mick Byrne is working around the clock to get the right pieces together. Yesterday in Nadi, at the press conference Byrne disclosed that the search was on for another half back and first five eighth.
Kemu Valetini, 28 has been in the Drua camp at Legalega, Nadi before Christmas to bolster the first five eighth position along with Teti Tela, and Caleb Muntz.
Valetina is the older brother of Wallabies back rower 24-year-old Rob. “Kemu has come on a short term contract and he has been training with us in the pre-season,” Bryne said.
“He has been going well. He has a one month contract. I have been sitting down now and discussing with him on how he has been going through.
“We will make a decision as to what
if we extend, he (Kemu) has been going well. He has been playing in the Shute Shield competition with Manly Sydney, we just like his composure around the game and what he brings.”
Injured Kuruvoli
Currently the side has three half backs, Peni Matawalu, Frank Lomani and Simi Kuruvoli.
Kuruvoli is out injured after he came out of the end of the year Flying Fijians tour with a shoulder injury.
“It wasn’t holding up and we got him tested and he needed some surgery,” he said.
“The surgery has just happened. We really don’t know the real term of his injury but we are guessing the Super Rugby season.
“He will still be a big part of our squad. He will be working with the coaches and helping us.”
Development squad
Playing against Melbourne Rebel in the Super Rugby Pacific pre-season hit out at the Prince Charles Park, on Saturday is test to the armoury. “Certainly we have to find out about ourselves and we have done that last year. We are playing in this competition to win so the first part is getting to the final,” he said.
He added the development squad was going well through training.
“It is early days from them and we will see how they go in the next few weeks.
“We have had a good pre-season under our belt and they are fitter this time. So they will be great.
“One thing we know about the front row boys is they work hard around the scrums, about being fit coming to the scrum after nine, ten phases. “Coming to the scrum, fitness is a big part of it.
“Our boys are fitter than last season through the hard work and I know that we are in good shape.”