Fijiana’s 10 Rookies for Super W Defence
The Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua has named 10 rookies in their 34-member squad to defend their Super Rugby Women competition title this season.
The 2024 squad sees several new faces.
Head coach Mosese Rauluni has retained a number of players who won the 2023 championship.
The back-to-back champions are preparing to retain their title in Australia’s premier rugby competition for the third year.
“The team is a perfect mix of experience and youth players, bringing in a new blend of skills set and talent to the Super Rugby Women competition,” Rauluni said.
“The aim for the squad is to build game by game towards getting our hands on the cup for a third time.
“This requires a lot of commitment, hard work, dedication coupled with accountability and accuracy in terms of ensuring that we deliver what is expected of us. “Now that we’ve joined the Fijian Drua franchise our campaign has been further boosted towards this ultimate goal,” he said.
The ten rookies are Una Lalabalavu, Salanieta Nabuli, Loraini Seiniloli, Tiana Robanakadavu, Merewai Nasilasila, Salanieta Kinita, Noelani Baselala, Merewairita Neivosa, Iva Sauira and Atelaite Buna.
Former Rebels hooker Vika Matarugu
has returned to boost the Fijiana side.
Merewalesi Rokouono also returned from the North Queensland Cowboys in the NLRW to compete for the critical flyhalf position in the squad.
The squad also includes seasoned campaingers of Jade Coates, Sulita Waisega, Merewai Cumu, Asinate Serevi, Merevesi Ofakimalino and Vani Arei.
The Fijiana Drua will miss the services of Captain Bitila Tawake and inspirational No.8 Sereima Leweniqila. Two wingers of the Fijiana Drua side that won the Super W title, two years in a row have signed with other clubs in the competition this season Speedster Kolora Lomani has moved to the ACT Brumbies side and lock Doreen Narokete has made the Queensaland Reds squad.
Fijiana XVs props Iris Verebalavu and Jiowana Sauto have joned the Brumbies and the Melborune Rebels respectively.
Fijiana Drua: Anasimeci Korovata, Salanieta Nabuli, Loraini Seiniloli, Litia Marama, Keleni Marawa, Vika Matarugu, Una Lalabalavu, Mereoni Vonosere, Tiana Robanakadavu, Siteri Rasolea, Mereoni Nakesa, Nunia Uluikadavu, Jade Coates, Asinate Serevi, Merevesi Ofakimalino, Fulori
Nabura, Sulita Waisega, Merewai Nasilasila, Karalaini Naisewa, Setaita Railumu, Noelani Baselala, Evivi Senikarivi, Salanieta Kinita,
Jeniffer Ravutia, Merewalesi Rokouono, Merewai Cumu, Vani Arei, Merewairita Neivosa, Litiana Lewadrau, Adita Milinia, Atelaite
Buna, Iva Sauira, Repeka Aditove, Luisa Basei.