Rookie Nalaga to start

SWIRE Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Mick Byrne has named rookie Waqa Nalaga to start from the bench against the Western Force in this Saturday’s Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific clash at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

Byrne said the team continued to work on their game structure this week.

“We continue to work on our game, there were parts of our game we have been working on from set piece and our attack, how we want to set our attack.

“We continue to develop our new defensive system but the main thing is our discipline, especially avoidable penalties,” Byrne said.

In the starting 15, powerful front-rower Haereiti Hetet retains his place at loosehead prop, with Tevita Ikanivere starting as hooker and serving as captain for this match.

Veteran prop Mesake Doge takes the tighthead position.

Locks Mesake Vocevoce and Leone Rotuisolia retain their spots in the middle row.

Etonia Waqa remains at blindside flanker while Kitione Salawa earns his first start of 2024 at openside flanker.

Robust loose forward Elia Canakaivata returns to the match-day squad and starts at number 8 this week.

Frank Lomani starts at halfback in his milestone 50th appearance in Super Rugby Pacific, pairing with Isaiah ArmstrongRavula at flyhalf.

Epeli Momo returns to the starting line-up on the left wing, with Selestino Ravutaumada on the right. Apisalome Vote retains his place at inside centre alongside try-scoring machine Iosefo Masi at outside centre. Ilaisa Droasese completes the starting 15 at fullback.

The Drua v Western Force men’s match will kick off at 1.05 PM.

First 15

1. Haereiti Hetet

2. Tevita Ikanivere (c)

3. Mesake Doge

4. Mesake Vocevoce

5. Leone Rotuisolia

6. Etonia Waqa

7. Kitione Salawa 8. Elia Canakaivata

9. Frank Lomani

10. Isaiah Armstrong- Ravula 11. Epeli Momo

12. Apisalome Vota

13. Iosefo Masi

14. Selestino Ravutaumada 15. Ilaisa Droasese

Impact

16. Zuriel Togiatama

17. Livai Natave

18. Samuela Tawake

19. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta 20. Motikiai Murray

21. Simione Kuruvoli

22. Waqa Nalaga

23. Taniela Rakuro