Olympian Nasoko in latest Fijian Drua Super Rugby signing
RUGBY continues to score a promising future for Yasawa villager, Kalione Nasoko.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games gold medallist has been contracted as the 11th player for the Fijian Drua to compete in the Super Rugby Pacific championship from next year.
Nasoko is joined by Flying Fijians and Nadroga prop, Jone Koroiduadua, Namosi and former NRC Drua halfback Peni Matawalu, Flying Fijians and Naitasiri lock Chris Minimbi, Northland (NZ NPC) flanker and former Fiji U20 captain Raikabula Momoedonu, and Namosi centre Kalaveti Ravouvou.
Fijian Drua interim chief executive officer Brian Thorburn said the players were chosen for their special skills and talents.
“The calibre of players in this wave three announcement reaffirms our commitment to play exciting, Fijian rugby right from the start of the season in 2022,” Thorburn said during a virtual press conference yesterday.
“Headlining the announcement is Olympics gold medal-winning
Fijian 7s star, Kalione Nasoko. A centre in the 15s game, Nasoko plays for Yasawa in Fiji Rugby Skipper Cup.
“Wave Three also features players who have progressed through the domestic pathway, through Fiji U20, the Fijian Warriors, the former NRC Drua and the Flying Fijians.”
It is a raw deal for Nasoko having started from club rugby in the Yasawas, captained Fiji in the World Rugby Sevens Series and now a gold medallist in the Olympic Games. His rise to fame now includes playing in the one of the world’s best annual rugby shows.
“Nasoko’s story is one of determination and sacrifice. He was playing a starring role for the Fiji 7s team until an ACL injury in 2019 sidelined him for much of the year. He required surgery, was on six weeks rest and even needed crutches to move around. But he worked hard on his rehabilitation, recovery, and fitness to force his way back into the gold-medal winning team. Nasoko will bring his renowned line-break and offloading abilities as a centre to the Fijian Drua.”
Thorburn said the players would head for pre-season training in Australia.
“Koroiduadua is an exciting young prop, who was part of the Fijian Latui and made it to the Flying Fijians squad to the Autumn Nations Cup (ANC) last year. While there, he also caught the eyes of French Club Clermont and trialled for them. We are glad to secure his services for the Fijian Drua to boost our prop stocks.
“Matawalu is a sharp halfback, always happy to snipe, and has a keen eye for the gap. He is another local star who has come up the ranks through the Fiji U20, the Fijian Warriors and the former NRC Fijian Drua. He was also part of the 2020 Flying Fijians touring squad for the ANC.
“Minimbi is a product of our domestic pathway through the Fiji U20 and the Fijian Warriors. He has a Flying Fijians cap to his name (2020 November tour) and has been impressive in the domestic Skipper Cup as a strong ballcarrying lock, which has earned him a call-up to the Fijian Drua."
“Momoedonu has captained the Fiji U20 (2018) and has been part of the Fijian Warriors and the Fijian Latui teams. Momoedonu is currently making waves with Northland in New Zealand’s Bunnings NPC competition.
“Namosi’s Ravouvou is a blockbusting centre who features often on the try scorers list.”
The other 10 players who had been contracted by the Fijian Drua are Napolioni Bolaca, Tevita Ikanivere, Onisi Ratave, Nemani Naqusa, Simione Kuruvoli, Meli Derenalagi, Serupepeli Vularika, Meli Tuni, Vinaya Habosi, and Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta. The squad is expected in Australia on November 1. The tournaments is to start on February 18.