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RNZ News
4 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Drua facing daunting task in Brisbane to wrap their Super Rugby season
Glen Jackson working with the Fiji national team in 2021. Photo: PHOTOSPORT It will be no easy task for the Fijian Drua, beating the Reds at home in Brisbane on Saturday night. Head coach Glen Jackson told journalists during the week in Nadi his side want to end their season on a high. But Jackson said that is a mammoth task for his players, who are now playing for pride with the post-season out of reach. "We got a pretty daunting task against the Reds," he said. "We need to put on a great performance just to finish on a high note for our boys." Drua are sitting at 10th spot at the moment , three points behind the Western Force. The Highlanders are in 11th spot, tied with the Drua at 20 points but with one fewer win than the Fijian side's four wins so far. If the Drua beat the Reds, they will jump ahead of the Force, who have finished their regular matches and are out of the play-offs as well. If the Highlanders win and the Drua lose, then the Dunedin team will get ninth placing, leaving Drua at the bottom of the standings. If both teams lose then there will be no change to the current placings. Fijian Drua v Chiefs, Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji. Photo: Kirk Corrie/ActionPress Jackson said they are focused on what they need to do, and are taking some confidence out of their win over the Brisbane franchise the last time they met. "The last time we played them we were lucky enough to get the win there," he said. "That is not going to change too much. They like to keep the ball alive and play a lot of rugby. "We need to front up through the middle with our forward pack. That's certainly where you win or lose the game against the Reds." Jackson has kept the same team that defeated the Western Force in Lautoka three weeks ago. That includes the halves combination of former under-20 reps Phillip Baselala and Isaiah Washington-Ravula. "It is important for me to understand who we thought is the best team," he said. "The mentality of our boys is to keep everyone on edge. Disappointing to be involved in our last game and miss the chance for the play-off." The game will be a milestone for two senior players, co-captain Tevita Ikanivere and lock Isoa Nasilasila. The duo will be playing their 50th Super Rugby games for the Drua, the first of the lot to achieve that in the club's four-year history. Both have been named in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, the Reds, who are in fifth position and have a chance to finish fourth, have named Fijian heritage player, Filipo Daugunu, on the bench. Reds head coach Les Kiss said Daugunu will have impact off the bench this week. Big news for the side is the return of Wallabies centre, Josh Flook. Flook has been selected to play his first match for the Reds since the repair of the hamstring injury he suffered against the Western Force on 1 March in round three. The Reds said the 55-game Reds regular will reboot his midfield partnership with Hunter Paisami for this final regular-season match. Flook said the Drua would be unpredictable opponents at Suncorp Stadium. "The Fijians are dangerous all over the park. They have props and hookers who run faster than some backs," he said. "They have backrowers who are like wingers. They play up-tempo and chance their hand so we have to be on our game." The Reds will wear the indigenous jersey, designed by former Reds women's prop Madi Schuck, as part of the Queensland Rugby Union's 14th annual indigenous round. Coach Kiss said Drua will not be easy to handle. "The Drua are always a dangerous opponent as we found out in Suva earlier this month. "We can't drop our guard." The Reds host the Drua at 9.35pm (Fiji time) on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium. The Fijian Drua match-day 23 : 1. Haereiti Hetet, 2. Tevita Ikanivere (Captain), Tawake, 4. Mesake Vocevoce, 5. Isoa Nasilasila, 6. Etonia Waqa, 7. Motikiai Murray, 8. Kitione Salawa, 9. Phillip Baselala, 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11. Taniela Rakuro, 12. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 13. Iosefo Masi, 14. Ponipate Loganimasi, 15. Selestino Ravutaumada; Bench: 16. Zuriel Togitama, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Mesake Doge, 19. Joseva Tamani, 20. Elia Canakaivata, 21. Simione Kuruvoli, 22. Inia Tabuavou, 23. Isikeli Rabitu. The Reds match-day 23 : 1. Sef Fa'agase, 2. Richie Asiata, 3. Zane Nonggorr, 4. Josh Canham, 5. Ryan Smith, 6. Joe Brial, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott (c), 10. Tom Lynagh, 11. Tim Ryan, 12. Hunter Paisami, 13. Josh Flook, 14. Lachie Anderson, 15. Jock Campbell; Bench - 16. Josh Nasser, 17. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18. Nick Bloomfield, 19. Angus Blyth, 20. John Bryant, 21. Kalani Thomas, 22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23. Filipo Daugunu.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Daunting task for Drua in Brisbane
Glen Jackson working with the Fiji national team in 2021. Photo: PHOTOSPORT It will be no easy task for the Fijian Drua, beating the Reds at home in Brisbane on Saturday night. Head coach Glen Jackson told journalists during the week in Nadi his side want to end their season on a high. But Jackson said that is a mammoth task for his players, who are now playing for pride with the post-season out of reach. "We got a pretty daunting task against the Reds," he said. "We need to put on a great performance just to finish on a high note for our boys." Drua are sitting at 10th spot at the moment , three points behind the Western Force. The Highlanders are in 11th spot, tied with the Drua at 20 points but with one fewer win than the Fijian side's four wins so far. If the Drua beat the Reds, they will jump ahead of the Force, who have finished their regular matches and are out of the play-offs as well. If the Highlanders win and the Drua lose, then the Dunedin team will get ninth placing, leaving Drua at the bottom of the standings. If both teams lose then there will be no change to the current placings. Fijian Drua v Chiefs, Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji. Photo: Kirk Corrie/ActionPress Jackson said they are focused on what they need to do, and are taking some confidence out of their win over the Brisbane franchise the last time they met. "The last time we played them we were lucky enough to get the win there," he said. "That is not going to change too much. They like to keep the ball alive and play a lot of rugby. "We need to front up through the middle with our forward pack. That's certainly where you win or lose the game against the Reds." Jackson has kept the same team that defeated the Western Force in Lautoka three weeks ago. That includes the halves combination of former under-20 reps Phillip Baselala and Isaiah Washington-Ravula. "It is important for me to understand who we thought is the best team," he said. "The mentality of our boys is to keep everyone on edge. Disappointing to be involved in our last game and miss the chance for the play-off." The game will be a milestone for two senior players, co-captain Tevita Ikanivere and lock Isoa Nasilasila. The duo will be playing their 50th Super Rugby games for the Drua, the first of the lot to achieve that in the club's four-year history. Both have been named in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, the Reds, who are in fifth position and have a chance to finish fourth, have named Fijian heritage player, Filipo Daugunu, on the bench. Reds head coach Les Kiss said Daugunu will have impact off the bench this week. Big news for the side is the return of Wallabies centre, Josh Flook. Flook has been selected to play his first match for the Reds since the repair of the hamstring injury he suffered against the Western Force on 1 March in round three. The Reds said the 55-game Reds regular will reboot his midfield partnership with Hunter Paisami for this final regular-season match. Flook said the Drua would be unpredictable opponents at Suncorp Stadium. "The Fijians are dangerous all over the park. They have props and hookers who run faster than some backs," he said. "They have backrowers who are like wingers. They play up-tempo and chance their hand so we have to be on our game." The Reds will wear the indigenous jersey, designed by former Reds women's prop Madi Schuck, as part of the Queensland Rugby Union's 14th annual indigenous round. Coach Kiss said Drua will not be easy to handle. "The Drua are always a dangerous opponent as we found out in Suva earlier this month. "We can't drop our guard." The Reds host the Drua at 9.35pm (Fiji time) on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium. The Fijian Drua match-day 23 : 1. Haereiti Hetet, 2. Tevita Ikanivere (Captain), Tawake, 4. Mesake Vocevoce, 5. Isoa Nasilasila, 6. Etonia Waqa, 7. Motikiai Murray, 8. Kitione Salawa, 9. Phillip Baselala, 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11. Taniela Rakuro, 12. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 13. Iosefo Masi, 14. Ponipate Loganimasi, 15. Selestino Ravutaumada; Bench: 16. Zuriel Togitama, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Mesake Doge, 19. Joseva Tamani, 20. Elia Canakaivata, 21. Simione Kuruvoli, 22. Inia Tabuavou, 23. Isikeli Rabitu. The Reds match-day 23 : 1. Sef Fa'agase, 2. Richie Asiata, 3. Zane Nonggorr, 4. Josh Canham, 5. Ryan Smith, 6. Joe Brial, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott (c), 10. Tom Lynagh, 11. Tim Ryan, 12. Hunter Paisami, 13. Josh Flook, 14. Lachie Anderson, 15. Jock Campbell; Bench - 16. Josh Nasser, 17. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18. Nick Bloomfield, 19. Angus Blyth, 20. John Bryant, 21. Kalani Thomas, 22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23. Filipo Daugunu.
ABC News
6 days ago
- General
- ABC News
From Fairfield to Fiji: Isoa Nasilasila's fiftieth cap for Fijian Drua
For Fijian Drua lock, Isoa Nasilasila, rugby union wasn't his first choice of sport growing up — not even his second. Fast forward 15 years and he's one of the Fijian Drua's most capped players. Proudly born and raised in Western Sydney, Nasilasila, found himself attending the same high school that produced rugby stars Israel Folau, Jarryd Hayne and Tony Williams at Westfield Sports High School — freakish talents that Nasilasila was yet to reach. "Dad enrolled us into rugby league first at Fairfield United. I started playing that until year seven but I didn't make the league program for Westfields [Sports High School]… so I tried out for the AFL program… and then I moved to the union program at the end of year eight," he said. After a suggestion from his high school coach to try his hand at under-20 Colts, Nasilasila went straight to the library and began searching for local rugby union clubs on the school laptop. Isoa stands on the sidelines after the first Drua home game of the season in Lautoka in 2024. ( ABC Pacific ) One pre-season later and multiple two-hour treks on public transport — he started to believe this could be a career after his debut in 1st Colts for Eastwood against Penrith Emus. However with the Fijian Drua barely a concept at the time, he kept his sights on what he could see: a blue jersey belonging to either team of Super Rugby's biggest rivals. "The Drua wasn't really around. It was always a dream to play in one of the Australian teams like the Brumbies and Waratahs just because I didn't see opportunities anywhere else," he said. But the tide turned quickly as he was soon swept up by Fijian Under-20's, then Fiji Warriors. Seemingly in the blink of an eye, Nasilasila was picked for the inaugural Fijian Drua squad. It led to his Super Rugby debut in Sydney in front of loved ones against the Waratahs, the team he once thought he'd be playing for. "They were all proud at that moment. Just seeing how hard my whole family has worked hard just for me to get there, how hard I've worked. It was as much their debut as it was mine." With paternal links all throughout Fiji like Viseisei, Vuda, Lautoka, and maternal links to Kadavu and Kiribati, his culture has always kept him grounded, especially when visiting family in the school holidays as a kid. Even though he was half a Pacific Ocean away from Fiji, he still saw similarities between the streets he ran around in Australia and life in Fiji for his cousins. "I loved every bit of it — you know hearing the boys growing up here in Fiji, I sort of compare it to growing up in Fairfield. It wasn't the flashiest but we had heaps of good memories." In fact, those early trips sparked a dream. "We'd always make trips over when we were kids… the culture has always been a big part of my life. I always wanted to play for the Flying Fijians ever since I was younger." And he got that chance, debuting against Tonga describing the experience as "something else, a dream that you've been dreaming for 10-15 years. For it to finally happen, I couldn't put it into words." His best day in a Fiji jersey came at the 2023 World Cup clinching a win against the team he also once dreamed of playing for. "I was another type of hype after we beat the Wallabies. For me it was either Wallabies or Fiji growing up in Australia. Getting the opportunity to play for Fiji and versing Wallabies and getting the W over them. It was crazy, the whole scenario… my best moment playing rugby." Ditching the suitcases he used to travel to Fiji with as a kid, he now lives there making history for the Flying Fijians. And no matter where he is, his family back home still make sure to remind him that they're always proud of him. Isoa Nasilasila with his Flying Fijian team mates at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. Fiji made it through to the Quarter Finals ( Isoa Nasilasila facebook ) "They tell me every week before I run out, they send the messages and make calls." His record 50th cap for the Drua reminds Nasilasila that every opportunity is just as important as the first he got in high school. "It still shocks me that I'm getting up to 50 [caps] now. I think I'm just taking the same mindset I did at the start of my campaign — just trying to be grateful for every game that I play."
Associated Press
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Super Rugby salutes Pacific power as the Drua, Moana Pasifika win in round 14
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The weekend's 14th round of Super Rugby was a tale of two captains as the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika won on the same day for the third time with both victories highlighting leadership. Captain Tevita Ikanivere led the Drua to a 38-7 win over the Western Force in Lautoka on Saturday in the Drua's final home match of the season. The match was also the last in front of home fans for four leading Drua players, including Ikanivere, who likely are heading overseas next year. Hours later Ardie Savea produced a towering individual performance to lead Moana Pasifika to a 27-21 win over the defending champion Blues, its first-ever win over their fellow Auckland-based team. Savea was an inspiring figure for Moana Pasifika, featuring in all phases of play and winning the crucial turnover that ended the match with the Blues camped on Moana's goal line. The two Pacific teams have won on the same day only twice previously: in round 15 in 2023 when the Drua beat the Queensland Reds and Moana Pasifika beat the New South Wales Waratahs and in round four this year when Moana Pasifika beat the Hurricanes 40-31 and the Drua beat the Chiefs 28-24. Ikanivere has been a Drua stalwart, a team member even before the Drua were admitted to Super Rugby. He was farewelled in steamy Lautoka on Saturday along with Caleb Muntz, Selesitino Ravutaumada and Isoefo Masi as Drua won for the fourth time at home this season. The Drua were last-placed and already out of playoffs contention heading into the match but they showed they can still make an impact on the playoffs with two regular season rounds remaining. Their five tries to one win pushed the Force back to ninth place and out of playoffs contention. The Drua will finish with a match against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane in the final round which could also rearrange playoff standings. Their fans, the best in Super Rugby, sent off their departing players with a joyous celebration of Saturday's win. 'This is how we want to play every week,' Ikanivere said. 'It hasn't happened but it's a good way to end the season, especially at home. That was for our fans, for our families and for the whole Drua family.' Ikanivere then offered fans the tantalizing hope that his career with the Drua might not yet be over. 'Nothing is concrete yet. You might see me here again next year,' he said. 'If it does happen, sorry for already farewelling me.' Savea has been an instrument of change for Moana Pasifika this year, unifying them, building their confidence and leading them to their sixth win of the season on Saturday, their best-ever record. With Saturday's win they leap-frogged the Blues into sixth place to stay in playoffs contention, though they have a tough finish against the Chiefs and Hurricanes. 'I'm proud of the effort of the boys for standing up against a quality Blues side,' Savea said. 'I'm just happy to get the win. 'This team's about uniting people, not just (the team) but New Zealand and the whole Pacific. That's what we stand for and our purpose.' Sevu's record Winger Sevu Reece equaled all-time Super Rugby try-scoring record when he scored his 65th try in the Crusaders' 48-33 win Friday over the Waratahs. The win left the Crusaders level on 41 points with the second-placed Chiefs but in third on points differential. The ACT Brumbies moved atop the standings for the first time this season when they beat the Queensland Reds 24-14 in Canberra, leaving the Reds in fourth place. The Wellington-based Hurricanes stayed in fifth with a hard-fought 24-20 win over the Dunedin-based Highlanders. The Hurricanes sealed their win with a try to scrumhalf Cam Roigard in stoppage time. Moana Pasifika are sixth, ahead of the seventh-placed Blues on points differential. The Waratahs are eighth with only a faint chance of reaching the playoffs and with away matches remaining against the Western Force and Blues. ___ AP rugby:
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Super Rugby salutes Pacific power as the Drua, Moana Pasifika win in round 14
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The weekend's 14th round of Super Rugby was a tale of two captains as the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika won on the same day for the third time with both victories highlighting leadership. Captain Tevita Ikanivere led the Drua to a 38-7 win over the Western Force in Lautoka on Saturday in the Drua's final home match of the season. The match was also the last in front of home fans for four leading Drua players, including Ikanivere, who likely are heading overseas next year. Advertisement Hours later Ardie Savea produced a towering individual performance to lead Moana Pasifika to a 27-21 win over the defending champion Blues, its first-ever win over their fellow Auckland-based team. Savea was an inspiring figure for Moana Pasifika, featuring in all phases of play and winning the crucial turnover that ended the match with the Blues camped on Moana's goal line. The two Pacific teams have won on the same day only twice previously: in round 15 in 2023 when the Drua beat the Queensland Reds and Moana Pasifika beat the New South Wales Waratahs and in round four this year when Moana Pasifika beat the Hurricanes 40-31 and the Drua beat the Chiefs 28-24. Ikanivere has been a Drua stalwart, a team member even before the Drua were admitted to Super Rugby. He was farewelled in steamy Lautoka on Saturday along with Caleb Muntz, Selesitino Ravutaumada and Isoefo Masi as Drua won for the fourth time at home this season. The Drua were last-placed and already out of playoffs contention heading into the match but they showed they can still make an impact on the playoffs with two regular season rounds remaining. Their five tries to one win pushed the Force back to ninth place and out of playoffs contention. The Drua will finish with a match against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane in the final round which could also rearrange playoff standings. Advertisement Their fans, the best in Super Rugby, sent off their departing players with a joyous celebration of Saturday's win. 'This is how we want to play every week,' Ikanivere said. 'It hasn't happened but it's a good way to end the season, especially at home. That was for our fans, for our families and for the whole Drua family.' Ikanivere then offered fans the tantalizing hope that his career with the Drua might not yet be over. 'Nothing is concrete yet. You might see me here again next year,' he said. 'If it does happen, sorry for already farewelling me.' Savea has been an instrument of change for Moana Pasifika this year, unifying them, building their confidence and leading them to their sixth win of the season on Saturday, their best-ever record. With Saturday's win they leap-frogged the Blues into sixth place to stay in playoffs contention, though they have a tough finish against the Chiefs and Hurricanes. Advertisement 'I'm proud of the effort of the boys for standing up against a quality Blues side,' Savea said. 'I'm just happy to get the win. 'This team's about uniting people, not just (the team) but New Zealand and the whole Pacific. That's what we stand for and our purpose.' Sevu's record Winger Sevu Reece equaled all-time Super Rugby try-scoring record when he scored his 65th try in the Crusaders' 48-33 win Friday over the Waratahs. The win left the Crusaders level on 41 points with the second-placed Chiefs but in third on points differential. The ACT Brumbies moved atop the standings for the first time this season when they beat the Queensland Reds 24-14 in Canberra, leaving the Reds in fourth place. Advertisement The Wellington-based Hurricanes stayed in fifth with a hard-fought 24-20 win over the Dunedin-based Highlanders. The Hurricanes sealed their win with a try to scrumhalf Cam Roigard in stoppage time. Moana Pasifika are sixth, ahead of the seventh-placed Blues on points differential. The Waratahs are eighth with only a faint chance of reaching the playoffs and with away matches remaining against the Western Force and Blues. ___ AP rugby:
