Drua ready for double header in Lautoka

THE Swire Shipping Fijian Drua can’t wait to get back to their fortress in Lautoka after another unsuccessful road trip, and they’ll have to share top billing with the Drua women as Churchill Park hosts a huge double header against the NSW Waratahs.

Mick Byrne’s men play first, and the Mosese Rauluni-coached women side play the late game. It’s the first of two double headers in Lautoka over the next seven days and the fans will be in 15s heaven as the Waratahs and then the Force play in Fiji for the first time.

Last week’s 46-29 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton was a case of the Drua men switching off at crucial times and allowing the Chiefs to dominate the scoreboard, until a typical late surge by the Drua.

While two second half tries denied the Chiefs a bonus point, the Drua returned home without any points and the pressure is starting to mount as they try to stay in touch with the top 8. This week’s fixture is a crunch game.

It’s going to take a full 80-minute effort by the Drua as the Waratahs have been very competitive in recent weeks, going down to the Blues and Highlanders in nail biters.

I thought the Drua really missed two key players who have been awarded the Home Basics Player of the Match award in earlier games this season. Fortunately, both Tevita Ikanivere and Frank Lomani have been named this week.

It was great to see Iosefo Masi pick up the award in Hamilton after scoring a double. He’s been threatening to unleash his try scoring ability in recent weeks so hopefully he can now kick on and add to his 11 tries overall for the Drua.

It’s the second of five games the Drua will play in Lautoka this regular season and they’ve won 3 of their last 4 at the venue dating back to last season. They’re going for three wins on the trot at the venue and the Waratahs know they’ll have to bring their A game if they’re to spoil the party.

It’s the first clash against an Aussie franchise this year and with just one win from the four games, the Drua cannot afford a slip up against the Tahs who are also under pressure following their one from four start.

The Tahs have never lost to the Drua in four previous meetings, and while they’ll take plenty of confidence out of past results, playing in Lautoka can be a different story. It’s quickly becoming one of the toughest road trips in Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific.

The closest the Drua have got to the Tahs was in their last encounter in Sydney when 14 points separated the teams. Overall, the Tahs have scored 156 points and conceded 59.

But those fixtures were not played in front of what coach Mick Byrne calls the Drua’s 16th man, the best fans in World Rugby. Conditions can also be very difficult. Just ask the Crusaders that lost 20-10 in Lautoka a fortnight ago.

The Waratahs will field 8 Wallabies in the run-on side including two stars with Fijian heritage, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Langi Gleeson.

But the visitors will come up against a very strong

Drua side.

I’m happy with the changes this week. Ikanivere and

Doge return to add some experience and starch up front and winning the forward battle will be crucial, as always.

Lomani’s all-round play and direction from scrumhalf is a timely boost and Vota’s go forward in the midfield and Rakuro’s finishing prowess is another added bonus.

It’s also great to see Kitione Salawa included in the match day 23 for the first time this year.

He was earmarked as a star of the future when the Drua started their journey in 2022 and let’s hope his injury woes are behind him.

Finally, congratulations to the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women who opened their campaign in Buildcorp Super Rugby Women with a win over the Queensland Reds at Ballymore in Brisbane last Sunday.

With one big scalp already, Karalaini Naisewa and her team now face the team they dethroned, the Waratahs.

The NSW Women were unbeatable in Australia’s Super W competition until the Drua came along and won “back to back” titles.

The Tahs beat the Brumbies 45-10 last week and will be seeking revenge against the Drua.

It’s all shaping up to be a memorable double header in Lautoka this afternoon and I can’t wait to call all the action with Sam Wykes and Nemani Nadolo.

Toso Drua.