Fijian Drua 2022

[Rugbynutter39]

Nth Queensland Cowboys have picked up a couple of Fiji 7s players.. Drua couldn’t come at a better time, need to hold those code poachers off.

Hate it when nrl poach rugby talent - yep timely for sure

 

[Rugbynutter39]

That’s a shame Adam. Hopefully it might turn out okay in the longer run. These guys will get to Australia then, invariably, there will be a mixed level of success. Some of these guys might be ripe for transferring back to the Drua in 1-2 years.

I hope so anyway. That is a better outcome then losing them altogether.

Or transferring to oz rugby side in getting some residency time locked in

 

[Bandar]

Mick Byrne just announced as head coach.

Has he been a head coach before?

 

[upthereds#!]

i have been told the bulk of the Drua wil jet into australia next month and set up camp and will be there till super rugby 2022 ends..

I think it is initially for a 1 month camp. I would suggest that after the 80% double vax point, they will be free to fly back to Fiji and Return after a Christmas break.

 

[RugbyReg]

Mick Byrne just announced as head coach.

Has he been a head coach before?

yep - of the North Shore AFL club in 1994-1997

 

[Teh Other Dave]

yep - of the North Shore AFL club in 1994-1997

As in the North Shore Bombers?

 

[TSR]

Hate it when nrl poach rugby talent - yep timely for sure

I get what you are saying. But at the end of the day there are a lot of Fijians who are getting a better life for themselves and their families through league. It would be wonderful if we could give all of them the opportunity - but we can’t.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I get what you are saying. But at the end of the day there are a lot of Fijians who are getting a better life for themselves and their families through league. It would be wonderful if we could give all of them the opportunity - but we can’t.

Yep agree - just like rugby to get more of them - which now with drua and MP (Moana Pasifika) is a start.
As case in point is Fiji players signed by NQ nrl team were players stated likely to get drua contracts.

Rugby has not traditionally done well in this part of the world for the war for talent as nrl salaries generally higher (but of course Japan and Europe have no such problems)

 

[Dan54]

Mick Byrne just announced as head coach.

Has he been a head coach before?

Hasn't he just been coaching a country somewhere? I am sure I have seen him with a team somewhere this year as head coach.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Hasn't he just been coaching a country somewhere? I am sure I have seen him with a team somewhere this year as head coach.

Last I heard he was with the Canada 7s program.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Last I heard he was with the Canada 7s program.

Interesting choice of mick Byrne for drua - going to need some quality assistants

 

[Dan54]

Interesting choice of mick Byrne for drua - going to need some quality assistants

Yep, I thought it was quite interesting, and thought I had read that a Fijian coach was pretty close to getting job. Still Byrne has been in some good coaching set ups , so he should of picked up something.

 

[RugbyReg]

5 more players:

PLAYER PROFILES

Name: Meli Derenalagi
Fijian Drua Number: 6
Age: 23
Position: Backrow
Provincial Team: Nadi

Playing Record

• 2018: Fiji Under 20 [4 caps]
• 2019/2020: Fijian 7s [86 caps, 22 tries]
• 2021: Tokyo Olympics [6 caps]

• Achievements
• 2018/2019 - World Rugby Sevens Series Winner
• 2018/2019 - World Rugby Rookie of the year
• 2018/2019 - Fijian 7s Captain
• 2018 - Commonwealth Silver Medallist

World Rugby Sevens Highlights: https://www.world.rugby/video/554354

************************************************
Name: Serupepeli Vularika
Fijian Drua Number: 7
Age: 29
Position: Halfback, inside centre, wing, fullback
Provincial Team: Suva

Playing Record

• 2016/2020 Flying Fijians [12 caps]
• 2018/2019 Fijian Drua [14 caps]
• 2015/2018 Fijian Warriors [12 caps]

Achievements

• 2019: Part of the Flying Fijians extended squad for Rugby World Cup
• 2015/2018: Won four consecutive Pacific Nations Cup title with Flying Fijians
• 2018: Won Australia’s National Rugby Championship with Fijian Drua

Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDhKonzjNcQ

********************************************

Name: Meli Tuni
Fijian Drua Number: 8
Age: 21
Position: Loosehead Prop
Provincial Team: Suva

Playing Record

• 2019: Fijian Under 20 [3 caps]
• 2020: Fijian Warriors [2 caps]

Achievements

• 2020: Part of the World Rugby Pacific Combine Team
• 2020: Won Fiji Rugby Skipper Cup with Suva
• 2019: Represented Fijian Under-20 at the World Rugby Junior Championship
• 2019: Won Deans Trophy with Ratu Kadavulevu School

********************************************

Name: Vinaya Habosi
Fijian Drua Number: 9
Age: 21
Position: Inside Centre, Outside Centre, Wing, Fullback
Provincial Team: Namosi

Playing Record

• 2020: Fijian 7s Team
• 2021: Flying Fijians

Achievements

• 2020/2021 Part of the extended Fijian 7s squad preparing for Olympic Games
• 2021: Part of the Flying Fijians extended squad for two test matches against All Blacks
• 2020: INNK Farebrother Trophy holder with Namosi
• 2019: Under-19 Skipper Cup champions with Nadroga

*Vinaya is the brother of Aporosa Tadulala who represented the NRC Fijian Drua when they won the Championship in 2018.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptoZtUZ2CUU


*************************************************

Name: Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
Fijian Drua Number: 10
Age: 23
Position: Lock, Blindside Flanker
Team: Tasman Mako

Playing Record

• 2017/2021: Tasman Mako [24 caps]
• 2016: New Zealand Maori Development Team
• 2016: Hurricanes U18 Extended squad

Achievements

• 2020: Played a vital role for Tasman Mako in the seaon as they went on to win their second NPC title in New Zealand.

 

[Warpath]

so with the 10 named i go

1. Meli Tuni
2. Tevita Ikanivere
3 .
4.
5. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
6. Nemani Nagusa
7. Meli Derenalagi
8.
9. Simione Kuruvoli
10. Napolioni Bolaca
11. Vinaya Habosi
12. Serupepeli Vularika
13. Onisi Ratave
14.
15.


not as strong but the likes of 7's star Sireli Maqala, Reds player Teti Tela, Eremasi Radrodro, Peceli Nacebe and Alivereti Veitokani are potentially likely to be signed up soon

 

[RugbyReg]

5 more

Name: Kalione Nasoko
Fijian Drua Number: 11
Age: 31 years
Position: Center
Provincial Team: Yasawa

Playing Record​

• 2016 – 2020: World Rugby Sevens Series - 142 Matches, 63 tries

Achievements

• 2017: Player of Final Hong Kong 7s
• 2016/2017: World Rugby Sevens Series Dream Team
• 2017/2018: World Rugby Sevens Series Dream Team
• 2018: Commonwealth Games Silver Medalist
• 2018: Medal of the Order of Fiji
• 2021: Tokyo Olympics Gold Medalist

World Rugby Sevens Highlights: https://www.world.rugby/video/238913

************************************************
Name: Jone Koroiduadua
Fijian Drua Number: 12
Age: 24
Position: Tight Head Prop
Provincial Team: Nadroga Rugby

Playing Record

• 2018: Nadroga Under-20
• 2019/2021 Nadroga Senior Team
• 2019: Fijian Drua
• 2020: Flying Fijian November Tour

Achievements

• 2020 Won Farebrother Trophy Challenge against Suva

********************************************

Name: Ratu Peni Matawalu
Fijian Drua Number: 13
Age: 24
Position: Halfback
Provincial Team: Namosi Rugby

Playing Record

• 2016/2017 Fijian Under 20 [4 caps]
• 2017/2019 Fijian Warriors [8 caps]
• 2017/2019 Fijian Drua [8 caps]
• 2019 Fijian Barbarians
• 2020 Flying Fijians

Achievements

• 2018 National Rugby Championship Winner with Fijian Drua
• 2018 Rugby Pacific Cup winner with Fijian Warriors
• 2019 Flying Fijians World Cup extended squad
• 2020 November Tour with Flying Fijians

********************************************

Name: Chris Minimbi
Fijian Drua Number: 14
Age: 21
Position: Lock
Provincial Team: Naitasiri

Playing Record

• 2019/2020: Fijian Under 20 [9 caps]
• 2020: Fijian Warriors [3 caps]
• 2020: Flying Fijians [1 cap]

Achievements

• 2020: Part of the Pacific Combine Team
• 2020: Part of the Flying Fijians to ANC
• 2021: Innk Farebrother Holder with Naitasiri

*************************************************

Name: Raikabula Momoedonu
Fijian Drua Number: 15
Age: 23
Position: Flanker
Team: Northland

Playing Record

• 2018 Fijian Under 20 [9 caps]
• 2019 Fijian Warriors [2 caps]
• 2019 Fijian Latui [4 caps]
• 2020/2021 Northland NPC

Achievements

• 2018 Junior World Trophy Winner
• 2019 Pacific Rugby Championship Winner

*************************************************

Name: Kalaveti Ravouvou
Fijian Drua Number: 16
Age: 23
Position: Centre
Team: Namosi

Playing Record

• 2016: Cuvu College Under 18 [Deans Trophy]
• 2018: Nadroga Under 20
• 2020: Namosi Rugby

 

[RugbyReg]

more:

Name: Kaliopasi Uluilakepa
Drua Number: 17
Age: 22
Position: Prop
Provincial Team: Northland [NPC New Zealand]

Playing Record:​

• 2017: Marist Brother School Under-18 Team
• 2017: Fiji Under-18
• 2018-2019: New Zealand Under-20 [14 caps]

Achievements:

• 2018: World Rugby Junior Championship winner with All Blacks Under-20
• 2020: Part of the Hurricanes extended squad for Super Rugby

*************************************

Name: Apisalome Vota
Drua Number: 18
Age: 25
Position: Center
Provincial Team: Suva

Playing Record:

• 2018: Fijian Warriors [3 caps]
• 2018/2019 Fijian Drua [8 caps]
• 2019/2020 Fiji Latui [6 caps]

Achievements:

• 2018 Pacific Rugby Champion with Fijian Warriors
• 2018 National Rugby Championship Winner with Fijian Drua

*************************************

Name: Kitione Taliga
Drua Number: 19
Age: 28
Position: Fly-half/Fullback
Provincial Team: Nadi

Playing Record:

• 2015-2016: World Rugby Sevens Series. 60 matches, 224 Points scored, 32 Tries
• 2017: Stade Français
• 2020/2021: Traveling reserve with Fijian 7s team to the Olympic Games in Japan

Achievements:

• 2014/2015: World Rugby Sevens Series Winner
• 2015/2016: World Rugby Sevens Series Winner
• 2016: Rio Olympic Games Gold Medallist

*************************************

Name: Isoa Nasilasila
Drua Number: 20
Age: 22
Position: Lock

Playing Record:

• 2019: Fijian Under-20 [4 caps]
• 2020: Fijian Warriors

Achievements:

• 2020: Pacific Rugby Championship (PRC)

*************************************


Name: Rusiate Nasove
Drua Number: 21
Age: 25
Position: Flanker
Provincial Team: Nadroga

Playing Record

• 2016/2018: Malolo Rugby
• 2019: Nadroga Rugby
• 2019: Fijian Drua (NRC)
• 2020/2021: Fijian 7s

Achievements

• 2020/2021: Part of the Fijian 7s extended squad preparing for Olympic Games

*************************************


Name: Ratu Leone Rotuisolia
Drua Number: 22
Age: 23
Position: Second Row

Playing Record

• 2014: Queensland Country Under-16
• 2016: Fijian Under-20
• 2017: Sydney University 1st Clots Premiers
• 2019: Sydney University 2nd Colin Card
• 2020: Sydney University 15’s

Achievements

• 2016: Oceania U20 Trophy winners with Fijian Under-20

 

[Adam84]

Confirmed the Drua will be based in Brisbane, exact location still to be announced but they fly out for Brisbane next Friday.

 

[Eyes and Ears]

Home ground?

 

[Jimmyjam]

I would have the Drua play their home matched vs Oz Super Rugby games at the away venue. They could possibly bank way more in revenue by getting the away crowd to fill stands. Compare match attendance in Brisbane with Drua vs Tahs.... it'd be hardcore fans only, but Drua vs Tahs at say Parramatta stadium would possibly fill the joint!! Much more $$ where it's needed. Same goes for Rebels, Force and Brumbies...

 

[Eyes and Ears]

And play the Kiwis in Brisbane?