KEY changes will be made in the starting line-up as the Fijian Drua scramble to stop a losing streak when they take on the rampant Hurricanes in Lautoka on Saturday.
The Drua have two losses from as many matches while the Hurricanes will blow into town after demolishing Moana Pasifika 52-10 last Friday.
It’s not been easy for the Drua this season. But despite losing the first two rounds’ head coach Glen Jackson remains excited about this week’s challenge.
“It’s going to be a great game. There’s a fair bit of rain around and that will bring the heat down. It will be awesome to have a massive crowd. Everyone knows we love to play in the wet. We know the Hurricanes have been doing a lot of work in their very flash environment doing some heat work. We’ve always had pretty good games against the Hurricanes. They are a good team to have here and we are looking forward to it.”
Jackson will play sevens star Joji Nasova this week.
“Joji is going to get his debut. He has been good in his transition from 7s into the Flying Fijians, so he’ll go on the wing. We are excited to see him perform. He is a quality player and quality man. It’s going to be great to get onto the field.”
However, there are some injury worries in the Fijian Drua camp. Co-captain Temo Mayanavanua was injured during the Waratahs game and will be sidelined for a while.
“Unfortunately Temo will be out for six weeks with a knee injury. It was not as bad as we first thought but it’s a massive loss for us. He leads our team very well and he’s super committed in getting back onto the field,” Jackson said.
But perhaps the biggest news from the Fijian Drua camp was announced earlier this week. Fearless flanker Elia Canakaivata and star wing Ponipate Loganimasi are taking their trade to the United Kingdom after signing with the Sale Sharks.
The two players have contributed immensely in the Drua’s success.
“Elia has been unbelievable. With his commitment and his age, he deserves to go overseas. Losing quality players like that is not ideal for us. I know the Sale Sharks are a good team and he’ll be great over there. And Poni is going too. Shame that he’s only been here for one year. It would have been nice to keep them both but they will be moving on to another place,” Jackson said
The Drua face the Hurricanes at 3:35pm (Fiji Time) on Saturday at the Churchill Park, Lautoka.
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