Drua academy Franchise looks to provide pathway for U18 players
THE Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will soon set up its academy which will target players from the age of 15 to 18.
This was according to chief executive Mark Evans while highlighting one of the things the club wants to promote in the coming season.
Evans explained that most players around the age of 15 to 18 were being poached by overseas clubs and they wanted to create a platform where they could choose to stay and thrive with the Fijian Drua.
“This calendar year, we need to start to do a lot more in the 15-to-18-year category. Rugby is still losing quite a lot of its best talent overseas at a very young age,” Evans explained.
“I think now we are at a growth period where we can see what we need to do, we have the resources to put those things in place. For example, traditionally Fiji lost a lot of its players at the back end of the under-20 world cup, a lot of players used to go at that point but this year nobody went. Of the boys in that squad that we wanted to recruit, they all joined and that’s quite a big change.”
The Drua is a relatively young team with some players fed through from their present development program and others joining in from overseas.
“It is important for us to improve our player identification from 15, 16, 17 and the pathway in which we can do this in partnership with the Fiji
Rugby Union. That’s the only way and if we are going to win this, it will be a combination of good pathways, boys that have been with us from 16, 17, they’ve got good habits, have grown up at the Drua and as well as some which we will see next season- a few well-qualified, experienced players coming back from Europe or Japan and play their last couple of years here. I think that will become a thing here for a little while.”
The youngest player in the main Drua squad is 19-year-old Isikeli Rabitu while Mesake Doge is the only player over 30.
THE Swire Shipping Fijian Drua yesterday announced its squad for the second pre-season match against the Rebels in Melbourne tomorrow.
Head coach Mick Byrne has named a 28-member travelling squad with changes to the line-up from the previous trial. Tevita Ikanivere, Selestino Ravutaumada, Iosefo Masi, and Frank Lomani return to the starting 15, with robust centre Waqa Nalaga set to feature in the Drua blue for the first time off the bench.
A new front row starts on this week with Emosi Tuqiri at loosehead, Ikanivere at hooker and Mesake Doge at tighthead. Isoa Nasilasila is back in the second row to pair Mesake Vocevoce, who gets another pre-season start in the middle row. Etonia Waqa shifts to the blindside flanker position for the first time in this trial, partnering Elia Canakaivata at openside flanker. Captain Meli Derenalagi retains the number 8 jersey.
Lomani starts at halfback to pair Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula who is at flyhalf. ‘Super Stino’ starts his first trial of the pre-season on the left wing while Epeli Momo retains his position on the right. Apisalome Vota starts this week at inside centre, with Masi on the outside. Ilaisa Droasese completes the backline at fullback.
On the bench are Livai Natave, Jone Koroiduadua, Samuela Tawake, Mesulame Dolokoto, Zuriel Togiatama, Vilive Miramira, Motikiai Murray, Simione Kuruvoli, Peni Matawalu, Kemu Valetini, Sikeli Rabitu, Nalaga and utility Tuidraki Samusamuvodre.
The trial kicks off at 5.30pm Fiji time at Gosch’s Paddock in Melbourne.