Len Ikitau of the Brumbies is tackled by Selestino Ravutaumada of the Drua during the Super Rugby Pacific Round 5 match between the Brumbies and the Fijian Drua at GIO Stadium in Canberra. 14 March 2025. Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch / Photosport
It will be a Drua double in Perth this weekend, as both the Fiji Drua and their women's team play a double-header against the Western Force on Sunday.
The Fiji Drua will tackle the Force in round six of the Super Rugby Pacific competition, after the Fijian Drua women have battled the Force women in round four of the Super Rugby W series.
Both team coaches, Glen Jackson and Ifereimi Rawaqa, told media this week they were focused on seeing their teams play well and claim wins in their matches.
Jackson and his men have travelled on from Canberra, where they had suffered a set-back loss to the Brumbies, in round five.
Rawaqa and his team have made the flight across from Nadi, having beaten the Reds in Lautoka last Saturday.
Consistency the key
The Fijian Drua women have played three consecutive matches in the competition so far.
But Rawaqa said that is not a problem, as the players have been taking on the challenge on a weekly basis.
He said the players have been challenging each other for places in the match-day 23 every week, which was a positive.
While he had rotated players and made changes to the line-ups so far, he said it gave the team the chance to grow their depth and ensure players were able to play consistently under the competitive environment they were playing in.
"We have to maintain the intensity throughout the week and learn to be consistent.
"We make sure we want to start well in the week. If everyone's training well and they put their hands up, and it's always tough for us coaches to select a team."
Rawaqa said they continued to work on their basics and managing their own game.
Consistency was a priority - starting well, continuing well and finishing well.
"We do our basics right and focus on our own game then we can get there," he said.
A win over the Force would consolidate their contention for a top-four finish, with a possible home semifinal if they retained their current number two spot.
Fijian Drua Women team at a training session. 14 February 2025 Photo: Fijian Drua
Rawaqa had named a strong side for the clash and opted for Kolora Lomani to call the shots at flyhalf, replacing Salanieta Kinita, who was unavailable this week due to a head injury assessment (HIA).
Two players were back in the match-day team this weekend, centre Josivini Naihamu and Evivi Senikarivi.
Last week's winning try-scorer against the Brumbies, Salanieta Nabuli, retaind her position at loosehead prop, pairing captain, Vika Matarugu, who was at tighthead.
The experienced Asinate Serevi returns to the tight-five, locking in with Merevesi Ofakimalino in the middle.
Rawaqa has named a backline that has both speed and flair, led by Senikarivi at halfback and Lomani at flyhalf.
The duo have been given the lead role to dictate the flow of the game, with Rawaqa emphasising the importance of their kicking game for territorial advantage when needed or variation of game flow.
Wingers Merewairita Neivosa (number 11) and Repeka Tove (14) have tonnes of speed to burn.
A strong bench is what Rawaqa had also been building and there were some experienced hands on deck with prop Anasimeci Korovata, top tackler Bitila Tawake, and Alowesi Nakoci, who can change the momentum of matches with their skills and experience.
The Western Force also named a strong team for the clash.
They received a timely boost with Wallaroos captain Michaela Leonard back from injury.
Australia A hooker Loretta Mailangi and Japanese scrum-half Mio Yamanaka come into the starting XV in Super Rugby W for the first time.
Winger Brooklyn Teki Joyce was also back after clearing HIA protocols.
Former Drua and Fijiana rep Adi Vani Buleki would be at wing for the side, while Sera Naiqama has been named at lock.
Fijian Drua women would meet the Western Force women at 9.05pm NZ time on Sunday at the HBF Park in Perth.
The Fijian Drua Women match-day 23:
1.Salaniete Nabuli, 2. Keleni Marawa, 3. Vika Matarugu (c), 4. Merevesi Ofakimalino, 5. Asinate Serevi, 6. Nunia Daunimoala, 6. Salaseini Railumu, 8. Karalaini Naisewa, 9. Evivi Senikarivi, 10. Kolora Lomani, 11. Merewairita Neivosa, 12. Josivini Naihamu, 13. Vitalina Naikore, 14. Repeka Tove, 15. Luisa Tisolo; Reserves: 16. Loraini Senivutu, 17. Anasimeci Korovata, 18. Tiana Robanakadavu, 19. Alfreda Fisher, 20. Bitila Tawake, 21. Setaita Railumu, 22. Ema Adivitalonga, 23. Alowesi Nakoci
The Western Force Women match-day 23:
1.Allana Sikimeti, 2. Loretta Mailangi, 3. Braxton Walker, 4. Sera Naiqama, 5. Michaela Leonard, 6. Tamika Jones, 7. Pia Tapsell, 8. Ashley Marsters, 9. Mio Yamanaka, 10. Grace Freeman, 11. Brooklyn Teki Joyce, 12. Trilleen Pomare (c), 13. Cecilia Smith, 14. Adi Vani Buleki, 15. Sheree Hume; Reserves: 16. Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, 17. Megumi Takagi, 18. Alapeta Ngauamo, 19. Rosie Ebbage, 20. Nami Dickson, 21. Ana Afuie, 22. Nicole Ledington, 23. Samantha Treherne.
Re-focus on Force
Fiji Drua head coach Jackson knew the Force were hurting and would want to restore some pride at home on Sunday evening.
The side were beaten badly by the Crusaders last weekend.
It was danger signs for the Drua, who were also beaten by the Brumbies in Canberra.
Jackson and his players know how important this weekend's result would be for the side.
Without an away win since their victory over Moana Pasifika in 2023, the Drua team were also chasing a second win in this year's competition to keep their hopes of securing a top-six finish alive.
Having suffered some controversial decisions against them so far, Drua's mentor said they had to re-focus on the Force and get on with the job at hand.
He told the media mid-week, his players just need to be disciplined and do their job, especially with a Force side that is known for their ruggedness and physicality.
"Our strength lies in what we're good at," he said, referring to keeping the ball and attacking the defense.
"We need to play Drua-style rugby, dominating the carries and looking after our ball in the break-down.
"Back three have been scoring points, which has been great, but now we need to do that for the full 80 minutes, not just 60."
He said the Force would be battling the Drua with physical power and would keep driving hard, and trying to tear down the close defensive lines.
"We will need to stay disciplined," Jackson said.
While stating they could not control what the match officials do on the field, he said all the team is asking of the referees is fair play and balance.
Jackson said they have had to voice their concerns over certain calls that were not given to the Drua.
To counter that his message had been clear - cut out the mistakes and execute game plan well.
Jackson had rung some changes for the match.
He had named Livai Natave and Meli Tuni as starters at prop, and brough in Caleb Muntz, who was rested in the last two games, to spearhead the Drua attacks from flyhalf.
Co-captain Tevita Ikanivere returns to hooker and will lead the side against the Force. He came off the bench in the matches against the Chiefs and Brumbies.
Jackson has retained the locking pair of Mesake Vocevoce (4) and Isoa Nasilasila (5), while making changes to the loose trio.
Etonia Waqa will start at blindside flanker, pairing Elia Canakaivata, while former captain Meli Derenalagi keeps his spot in the starting lineup for three consecutive weeks, as number 8.
Halfback Simione Kuruvoli will pair Muntz.
A 5-3 combination has been named on the bench, which also includes props Haereiti Hetet and Mesake Doge, plus flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula and fullback Vuate Karawalevu.
The Force have named a powerful lineup and welcome back Wallabies quintet Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Carlo Tizzano and Nic White.
The club said back-rower Nick Champion de Crespigny returns from head injury protocols, while Ryan Coxon and Nic Dolly come into the starting front row.
Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, who has Fijian heritage, has been named as halfback cover on the bench.
Western Force vs Fijian Drua
Sunday 23 March, 7:05pm NZ time at the HBF Park.
The Fiji Drua match-day 23: 1. Livai Natave, 2. Tevita Ikanivere (c), 3. Meli Tuni, 4. Mesake Vocevoce, 5. Isoa Nasilasila, 6. Etonia Waqa, 7. Elia Canakaivata, 8. Meli Derenalagi, 9. Simione Kuruvoli, 10. Caleb Muntz, 11. Taniela Rakuro, 12. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 13. Iosefo Masi, 14. Ponipate Loganimasi, 15. Ilaisa Droasese; Reserves: 16. Mesulame Dolokoto, 17. Haereiti Hetet, 18. Mesake Doge, 19. Vilive Miramira, 20. Kitione Salawa, 21. Peni Matawalu, 22. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 23. Vuate Karawalevu.
The Western Force match-day 23: 1. Ryan Coxon, 2. Nic Dolly, 3. Tom Robertson, 4. Jeremy Williams (c), 5. Darcy Swain, 6. Will Harris, 7. Carlo Tizzano, 8. Nick Champion de Crespigny; 9. Nic White, 10. Ben Donaldson, 11. Dylan Pietsch, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Sio Tomkinson, 14. Harry Potter, 15. Mac Grealy; Reserves: 16. Tom Horton, 17. Marley Pearce, 18. Atu Moli, 19. Vaiolini Ekuasi, 20. Reed Prinsep, 21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22. Max Burey, 23. Reesjan Pasitoa.
