Search on for No.6 and No.12
It’s great to see the Fijian Drua maintain their seventh spot in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition.
The Swire Shipping sponsoredside took a well deserved rest in the weekend and some were out relaxing at the Denarau golf course on Sunday.
Now it’s back to the business end of the competition and they are hitting it out with the unbeaten Hurricanes at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium this Friday night.
The Hurricanes under former All Blacks sevens head coach, Clark Laidlaw, has been in devastating form and will surely be out to avenge last year’s 27-24 upset loss to the Drua.
This will be a huge challenge for the Drua.
Firstly, they will be playing without suspended halfback Frank Lomani, prop Jone Koroiduadua and our top goal-kicker Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, who is mourning the death of his grandfather. Also, injuries cloud the availability of Isoa Nasilasila, Philip Baselala and our new find blindside flanker Etonia Waqa.
Now joining the squad on shortterm contracts is halfback Moses Sorovi while Taniela Ramasibana is with the team but is yet to sign his contract.
This was according to Drua head coach Mick Byrne as he works toward finalising his Match 23 squad for this crucial must-win clash. After the first half of the Super Rugby competition, there are two key positions, which we needs to be taken up by the right players.
FORWARD
Blindside Flanker (6): After losing Etonia Waqa to injury, there is a need to get the right person for the job. Moving Vilive Miramira from his specialist No.7 position to No.6 did not work and this was reflected against the Rebels.
A blindside flanker plays a physical game and is very confrontational. He clears out the rucks and defensively shuts down the opposition halfback and No.8.
Other job descriptions are to ensure the opposition do not get over the gain line.
In today’s game, the blindside flanker is expected to make strong carries to punch holes in the opposition defences. This is where they draw the defenders to create gaps for his team-mates.
With Waqa still in doubt, there are forwards in the Drua squad that could do justice if put into this position.
The two contenders for the position is strong running Motikai Murray and if not the moving of Mesake Vocevoce from No.4 to No.6. Byrne at times had shifted Vocevoce to No.6 in the second half of Drua’s matches against Crusaders, Waratahs, Force and he did not disappoint.
Other players who could force their way to the position are captain, Meli Derenalagi and Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta.
BACKS
Second-Five Eighth (12): When Kalaveti Ravouvou left the Drua for Bristol Bears, there has been a huge vaccum left behind in the position.
The Drua has tried out several players during the pre-season and Super Rugby matches but is yet to find the right player for the job. This is a playmaking role. At the same time the player must be a tough defender, very physical, good kicking skills and the ability to run through the opposition to get to the advantage line.
The Hurricanes strength lies in their No.12 Jordie Barrett- you shut him out and they’ll fall apart. Barrett dictates every move they make and his long clearing kicks give them territorial advantage which allows them to reset before making their next move.
Barrett started playing at fullback, then to No.10 before making his mark at second-five eighth.
For the Drua, at the moment it’s going to take time to find the player to fit the bill.
Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Kemu Valetini have been tried out but they still need to adapt.
Then we’ve young Waqa Nalaga, who still needs more game time at No.12.
The only safe bet right now is Apisalome Vota, who is experienced and has been playing there for some time now.
If not be, what about moving Ilaisa Droasese to No.12 because he has got what it takes to play in that position and who knows he could be our trump card.