Tawake Excited to be in Drua Colours
Rooster Chicken prop Bitila Tawake is excited to start from the bench as they face the Western Force in today’s Super W semifinal at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
The former Drua captain returned after being part of the Chiefs Manawa side in the Super Rugby Aupuki competition in New Zealand.
“It is special to be part of those girls that started the (Drua) team,” she said.
“We need to celebrate this as well as we are playing alongside the men’s, not only women’s rugby but women in general.
Tawake led the side to hoist the Super W title in 2022 and 2023.
She has been watching the team especially the new players and firmly believes that it is an exciting time for women’s rugby.
“This is their time. I’m excited and keen to be back to play freestyle rugby rather than structured rugby.”
Buna wants more tries
Drua top try scorer Atelaite Buna said she is ready to explode from her position at fullback.
“We are ready despite the short period. We have learned a lot from last week’s match. I have to work on my defence and attack as well. “I hope to get more opportunity on the field, they give me the ball and I will try to turn it into a try,” she said.
All ready to go
Drua head coach Mosese Rauluni said the girls are excited and trained well during the captain’s run.
“Training had been hard and we’ll take this to face the Western Force.
“Nine (halfback) and ten (firstfive eighth) have been playing well against Force and Brumbies and we’ll keep that intact.”
The side will miss out on the services of strong running secondfive eighth Merewai Cumu who had a concussion against the Rebels last weekend.
The Fijian Drua is calling on fans to come and cheer them in their first Super W home semi-final. The Drua is hoping to retain the Super W title for the second year in-a-row.
The match kicks-off at 4,30pm.