WITH just two rounds left in the year’s Super Rugby regular season, the Fijian Drua are set to play their against the Western Force at the HBF Park in Perth. These sides last met in Lautoka when the Drua scraped past with a 24–22 victory.
The Drua suffered a disappointing loss against the Waratahs last weekend in Suva, a match they desperately needed to win to help their 2026 campaign progress into the later rounds.
Head coach Glen Jackson has made significant changes in the Drua line-up this week.
Maika Tuitubou makes a return into the run-on team. The young 22-year-old was impressive in his debut against the Waikato Chiefs two weeks ago when he was paired with inside centre Virimi Vakatawa.
Iosefo Namoce will be the centre cover on the bench.
Kemueli Valetini gets the starting 10 jersey over Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula who had an underperforming game last week.
Jackson has retained Issak Fines-Leleiwasa in the halfback spot while Simione Kuruvoli will cover for him from the bench.
Frank Lomani is not in the line-up this week. There have been many critics of the natural halfback who has been playing on the wing for the past couple of weeks. Taniela Rakuro replaces Lomani and works with Manasa Mataele and Isikeli Rabitu in the back-three.
The starting loose trio are Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa and Isoa Tuwai. This has given some time for the hard working Elia Canakaivata to rest on the bench.
Captain Temo Mayanavanua will lock up the second row with Mesake Vocevoce as Isoa Nasilasila sits on the bench.
Also in the fold this week are props Meli Tuni and Samuela Tawake. This will be Tuni’s first game of the season.
Despite the bad lineout throws being a big problem for the Drua this season, Zuriel Togiatama is still the starting hooker. Togiatama will be covered by Sakiusa Ravudi.
The Drua are currently in 10th place but they share the same amount of wins and losses with some of the teams placed higher than them. They are far behind in terms of bonus points and will need some sort of miracle in order to qualify into the Top 6.
The match is scheduled to kick -off on Saturday at 9:30pm (FT).
