New players adjusting, bring a lot talent, says Byrne
THE new players in the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua squad have a lot of talent but are still in the learning process for the 2023 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition.
The new players to watch in 2023 Fijian squad include former Melbourne Rebels squad member Emosi Tuqiri and impressive centre Michael Naitokani (Swire Shipping Fijian Warriors and Nadroga).
The squad has been reinforced by gold medal winning Olympian
and Sevens World Cup winner Iosefo Masi, who has signed up for the Fijian Drua after a short stint with the North Queensland Cowboys.
Joining him is robust Suva backrower and RWC 7s winner Elia Canakaivata.
Fijian Drua head coach Mick Byrne said the new players had brought in a lot of talent in the squad.
“Actually they have not been too bad. They haven’t shown us everything that they have got,” he said.
“It is typical of young Fijian boys trying to be respectful of the senior players that are around them.
“So we need to let them come out of their shell a bit because once you are in the Fijian Drua team then you are equal.
“Everybody is equal. We are giving them the encouragement to show us what they have got and express themselves.”
The Fijian Drua team has also got a 12-member development squad which is made up of Fiji’s finest emerging players from the Deans and Skipper Cup competitions.
They include Livai Natave, Jone Naqiri, Sailosi Vakalokalo,
Fred Ralulu, Joji Kunavula, Motikai Murray, Naibuka Matadigo, Philip Baselala, Isikeli Rabitu, Aisea Tuisese, Jack Volavola and Taniela Rakuro. Natave has already played for the Flying Fijians.
Byrne said they had some pretty exciting talent there.
“Once we can get through the Christmas period then we could come out of the New Year and start ramping up in the contact areas,” he said.
“Then the intensity in our training will pick up and I’m sure those guys will benefit from those training.”