Photo: Photosport Ltd 2022 www.photosport.nz
The Fijian Drua have been boosted by the return of some of their top players for the round 8 clash against the Crusaders in Suva on Saturday.
Head coach Glen Jackson has recalled Joe Tamani, Inia Tabuavou, and Selestino Ravutaumada to the starting 15.
Two wins over the Crusaders at home in the last two years is the Drua's record against the former Super Rugby Pacific champions.
In the forwards, Jackson has named Haereiti Hetet and Mesake Doge at props, co-captain Tevita Ikanivere at hooker, with Tamani returning to blinside flanker.
Tabuavou slots back into midfield, outside halfback Frank Lomani and flyhalf Isaiah Washington-Ravula.
Jackson has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench this week, with six forwards and two backline covers.
Drua v Crusaders
Kick-off: 3.35pm FJT, Saturday 5 April
HFC Bank Stadium, Suva
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Drua: 1. Haereiti Hetet, 2. Tevita Ikanivere (c), 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Mesake Vocevoce, 5. Isoa Nasilasila, 6. Joseva Tamani, 7. Isoa Tuwai, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11. Ponipate Loganimasi, 12. Inia Tabuavou, 13. Iosefo Masi, 14. Selestino Ravutaumada, 15. Vuate Karawalevu; Reserves: 16. Zuriel Togiatama, 17. Emosi Tuqiri, 18. Samuela Tawake, 19. Leone Rotuisolia, 20. Vilive Miramira, 21. Etonia Waqa, 22. Simione Kuruvoli, 23. Isikeli Rabitu
Crusaders: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor (c), 3. Seb Calder, 4. Tahlor Cahill, 5. Antonio Shalfoon, 6. Corey Kellow, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Taha Kemara, 11. Macca Springer, 12. Dallas McLeod, 13. Sevu Reece, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan; Reserves: 16. Ioane Moananu, 17. Kershawl Skyes-Martin, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Quinten Strange, 20. Ethan Blackadder, 21. Mitch Drummond, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Levi Aumua
Drua women make changes
Drua women's head coach Ifereimi Rawaqa has named number eight Kara Naisewa to lead the side against the Reds in Brisbane in their Super Rugby Women semi-final clash on Sunday.
With season captain Vika Matarugu ruled out of the rest of the campaign due to injury, Rawaqa has named the experienced Naisewa to lead the Drua in their fourth straight semi-final appearance.
Seasoned campaigner and former captain, Bitila Tawake, also retuns to the front row, where she had started her Drua career at.
Tawake starts at loosehead, pairing Anasimeci Korovata at tighthead.
Meeoni Nakesa returns at locks, pairing Asinate Serevi.
Rawaqa has opted for a tested backline, that has both power and speed, led by the pairing of halback Kolora Lomani (9) and flyhalf Salanieta Kinita (10).
Fullback Luisa Tisolo will be ,ooked to for clearing kicks and conversions during the game.
Australian sevens superstar Charlotte Caslick will be at fullback for the Reds.
Tough prop Bree-Anna Browne has been the unsung hro for the Reds' scrums in the past six weeks and will be a tough one to handle for the Fijian women.
The Reds said Browne's progress at prop over the past six weeks has been one of the unsung stories within the Reds' ranks as they prepare for this knockout match against the Fijian Drua women.
Browne said the battle upfront is where it all starts on Sunday.
"We know the Drua have the scrum to watch this season, so it's up to us to make sure it's not a strong suit," Browne said.
The Drua scrum dominated when the sides met in Lautoka early last month.
But the Reds produced a superb 22-19 win against the odds.
Meanwhile, Fiji Drua franchise chief executive officer, Mark Evans, has hit out at Super Rugby and Australia Rugby for tour arrangements made for the Fijian Drua women.
Planet Rugby said Evans is unhappy that the team is scheduled to arrive in Brisbane 24 hours before the game.
Tournament regulations stipulate that Rugby Australia must pay for a maximum of three nights but, after being hindered by the finale of the regular season - the order of the top-four was only confirmed on March 30 - they booked the Fijians in for Saturday rather than Friday.
As a result, the Drua will head back on Tuesday, and if they qualify for the final, they will have only one day in Nadui to prepare before goign to thir next destination.
"I find it extraordinary. They are claiming budget," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"I know times are hard, but they are a multimillion-dollar organisation. Are you seriously telling me that in the circumstances, you can't stretch to one extra night?
"C'mon, this is a final. They said: 'There are your three nights'. I said: 'Hold on, you want us to come on the Saturday so we only have 24 hours in the city before we play?'.
"I am sure it has been done previously, but that's not how you want to prepare for finals football. To hide behind the word maximum is disingenuous to the extreme."
Rugby Australia also defended their actions, and said the team have enough time in Brisbane before kick-off.
"The travel arrangements for the Fijian Drua are aligned with the competition guidelines and consistent with the precedents set by all travelling teams in the Super Rugby Women's competition," RA's statement said.
"Rugby Australia believes that the arrival of the Drua in Brisbane on the morning of the day before the game is sufficient, from both a logistics and high-performance perspective."
Kick-off: 4.05pm NZT Sunday April 6
Venue: Ballymore Stadium
Drua women's: 1. Bitila Tawake, 2. Keleni Marawa, 3. Anasimeci Korovata, 4. Mereoni Nakesa, 5. Asinate Serevi, 6. Alfreda Fisher, 7. Salaseini Railumu, 8. Karalaini Naisewa (c), 9. Kolora Lomani, 10. Salanieta Kinita, 11. Alowesi Nakoci, 12. Ema Adivitaloga, 13. Vitalina Naikore, 14. Repeka Tove, 15. Luisa Tisolo; Reserves: 16. Isabella Koi, 17. Loraini Senivutu, 18. Tiana Robanakadavu, 19. Nunia Daunimoala, 20. Rusila Nagasau, 21. Setaita Railumu, 22. Merewairita Neivosa, 23. Evivi Senikarivi
Reds: 1. Bree-Anna Browne, 2. Tiarna Molloy, 3. Eva Karpani, 4. Tiarah Minns, 5. Veneta Teutau, 6. Jemma Bemrose (cc), 7. Carola Kreis, 8. Sarah Riordan, 9. Layne Morgan, 10. Lori Cramer, 11. Ivania Wong (cc), 12. Shalom Sauaso, 13. Faythe Manera, 14. Caitlin Urwin, 15. Charlotte Caslick; Reserves: 16. Zophronia Setu, 17. Cristo Taufua, 18. Charli Jacoby, 19. Deni Ross,
20. Zoe Hanna, 21. Nat Wright, 22. Carys Dallinger, 23. Piper Flynn
