The Fijian Drua have named their squad for Round 4 of the Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Chiefs this Saturday in Hamilton.
Coming off the win against Crusaders last weekend, Head Coach Mick Byrne has several changes to the side, with a whole host of players forcing their way into the matchday 23.
Mesulame Dolokoto, Simione Kuruvoli, Michael Naitokani and Junior Ratuva set to make their first starts of the season against Chiefs. Also returning to the matchday 23 are Zuriel Togiatama, Samuela Tawake, Peni Matawalu and speedster Taniela Rakuro.
In the starting 15, experienced front rower Haereiti Hetet remains at loosehead prop with Dolokoto (2) at hooker and Jone Koroiduadua (3) at tighthead. Mesake Vocevoce (4) partners Leone Rotuisolia (5) in the middle row.
The backrow of Etonia Waqa (6) on the blindside, Vilive Miramira (7) on the openside and captain Meli Derenalagi (8) at number 8 has also been retained.
Making his first start of the season at halfback is Kuruvoli (9), pairing with Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula (10) who is at flyhalf. Ratuva (11) starts on the left wing with Selestino Ravutaumada (14) on the right. Naitokani (12) and Iosefo Masi (13) will pair at inside and outside centre respectively. Ilaisa Droasese (15) completes the starting 15 at fullback.
Providing cover at hooker is Zuriel Togitama (16), with props Emosi Tuqiri (17) and Samuela Tawake (18) at loosehead and tighthead respectively. An impactful middle and pair of Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta and Elia Canakaivata will be eager to stamp their mark on the match off the bench. The replacement backline has Peni Matawalu as halfback back-up, with Kemu Valetini as cover for flyhalf and Rakuro for the back three.
Meanwhile, the Fijian Drua cannot afford to be lax in their clash against the Chiefs this weekend.
Coach Mick Byrne said the team has adopted a new offensive strategy with a few minor tweaks each game, according to each team they face.
Byrne said having studied the Chiefs games over the opening three rounds, his players will have to be switched on from the opening whistle against a team bristling with firepower.
“We’re working hard to get our systems in place and against the Chiefs, what you have to do is make sure that you get your systems in place and stick to it well.
We need to get around the corner on our defensive systems, we need to get our numbers in the line and we need to come forward hard. We need to do it for 80 minutes and that’s the challenge for us this weekend.”
He said the Drua need to match the Chiefs’ level of intensity to have any chance of success.
The Drua will travel to New Zealand this week to face the Chiefs on Saturday at 6.30pm in Hamilton.
