Wingers stand out for Drua
Fijians feature for teams
SPEEDSTER Taniela Rakuro was one of the standout players in the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua’s first trial match on Saturday night against the ACT Brumbies.
The Nadroga speedster nicknamed ‘Motopai’ scored two tries in the Drua’s narrow 40-43 loss to the Brumbies in Canberra.
Former Flying Fijians coach Simon Raiwalui touted Rakuro and former France-based player Epeli Momo as, “headaches for Super Rugby wingers this season”.
Raiwalui also pointed out in his recent tweet, “Kemu Valetini, Isikeli Rabitu and Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula are genuinely high-level international prospects… depth at 10 hasn’t been better in Fiji at scrumhalf and flyhalf ”.
Simione Kuruvoli, who came off the bench, wore the Drua jersey for the first time since his injury in 2022.
The Drua will face the Melbourne Rebels in their second pre-season match on February 16.
Their opening match of the season is against the Blues on February 24 at 3.35pm in Whangarei, New Zealand.
FIJIAN international Vuate Karawalevu featured for the first time in the Waratahs colours over the weekend during the Super Rugby Pacific preseason clash against the Melbourne Rebels.
It wasn’t the start that former Fiji Bati player would’ve wanted as the New South Wales side lost 12-38 to Melbourne.
Winger Filipo Daugunu along with fresh recruits in Lukhan Salakai-Loto and Matt Procto added edge and dynamism to the playing group.
In another match, Fijians
Seru Uru and Suliasi Vunivalu started in the Reds 19-21 loss to the Western Force.
Flying Fijians prop Peni Ravai came off the bench for Queensland.
Meanwhile, in the New Zealand franchise, defending Super Rugby champions, the Crusaders fell in Ireland with a 19-21 defeat to Munster.
Vern Cotter and the Blues on the other hand secured a major 43-7 win over the Tokyo Sungoliath in Japan.
Jacob RatumaitavukiKneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai and Jona Nareki were among the tryscorers in the Highlanders 36-28 win over Moana Pasifika in Queenstown.