Samo Backs Drua
FIJIANS EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS- LOTE TUQIRI
Radike Samo says the Fiji Airways Drua rugby side is good for the Australian National Rugby Championship and Fiji. Samo arrived with former Wallabies Lote Tuqiri and Mark Chisholm yesterday.
They will feature for the Classic Wallabies who will play the Fijian Legends in the curtain-raiser to the Fiji Airways Drua-Perth Spirit at the ANZ Stadium on Saturday. Samo, who plays for Brisbane City in the NRC, said the Fiji Airways Drua inclusion will be good for the sport.
“It’s awesome to see the Fijian Drua join the NRC this year, there are a lot of talents around the country,” he said.
“To have them play the NRC would be a good experience for the players and rugby in the country.
“A lot of teams in Australia have players playing in Super Rugby so this will be a good experience for the Fiji team.”
The Narewa, Nadi, native is happy with the results achieved by the Senirusi Seruvakula coached side after three rounds.
“They won two, lost one which is a good start and hopefully they keep learning along the way.
“They have got a few experienced players and they are all locals.
“The more they play together, the better they will become.
“I hope more Fijians will turn up and support the team on Saturday.”
DRUA IMPRESSES TUQIRI
The Fiji Airways Drua side is bringing a new lease of life to the Australian National Rugby Championship, says Lote Tuqiri.
The former Wallaby is impressed with the John Stewart-skippered side who have won two of the three matches in the competition so far.
“Fiji Airways Drua is exceeding expectations,” he said after he arrived yesterday.
“They are bringing a breath of fresh air to the game in Australia.
“The free flowing sort of style they play lightens up the competition and is really good to watch,” he said.
He is looking forward to the curtainraiser match against the Waisale Serevi-captained Fijian Legends.
“It’s good to come back and bring these Australian boys to sample what we have to offer in Fiji.
“I think we beat them at the Sydney Sevens early this year. But I know they don’t want to disappoint their home fans in Suva on Saturday.”
He is looking forward to giving back to the community as part of the Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade programme.
“We always look forward to giving back to the children and the community.”
TURN UP, SEREVI TELLS FANS
Meanwhile, Waisale Serevi is also happy with the Drua performance so far.
“I am proud of the Fiji Airways Drua team and the impact that they have made in this competition, albeit in only their first year. I urge all the fans to come down and support not only the Fijian Legends and the Classic Wallabies but the Fiji Airways Drua team.”
Fiji Rugby Union chief executive officer John O’Connor has urged all the rugby fans to come down and support the Fiji Legends and Fiji Airways Drua in what promises to be an exciting, family-fun rugby day.
“Waisale Serevi remains everyone’s choice as the finest 7s rugby player of all time,” O’Connor said.
“He was Fiji’s hero every time he took to the field. The same goes for all the players that make up the Fiji Legends team as they helped put Fiji on the map. They have done us proud by agreeing to the match for Saturday and I promise all the spectators, you will get your money’s worth.”
The Fiji Legends v Classic Wallabies match is scheduled to kick off at 4.15pm before the Fiji Airways Drua takes on Perth Spirit at 5pm at ANZ Stadium in Suva.
Tickets are on sale at $10 for grandstand and $5 for the embankment at the Fiji Rugby Union Office and the Fiji Sports Council or online at www.ticketdirect.co.fj.