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Drua duo set for historic milestone in team’s season finale against Reds

Tevita Ikanivere of Fiji Drua heads in for a try during the round 11Super Rugby Pacific match between Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua at North Harbour Stadium, on April 26, 2025, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Fijian Drua co-captain Tevita Ikanivere and lock Isoa Nasilasila are both set to make history this weekend by becoming the first players to make 50 appearances for the club. Ikanivere and Nasilasila will reach the milestone as the Drua bring their season to a close.

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With the Drua out of playoff contention, the Fijians are playing for pride this weekend, when they take on the Queensland Reds in Brisbane. This will be the 58th Super Rugby Pacific match for the Drua, meaning Ikanivere and Nasilasila have only missed eight matches in four years.

Coach Glen Jackson has named Ikanivere and Nasilasila in the run-on side. Haereiti Hetet and Samuela Tawake will join Ikanivere in the front row, while Mesake Vocevoce is the other player named in the tight five.

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Etonia Waqa has been picked at blindside flanker once away, while Motikiai Murray returns from a short-term injury at openside. Rounding out a formidable loose forwards trio is the ever-reliable Kitione Salawa at No. 8.

In the backline, former Fijian U20 star Philip Baselala gets another chance to start for the Drua after recently impressing against the Western Force. Flying Fijians playmaker Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula will join Baselala in the halves, having been named at fly-half.

Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Iosefo Masi will combine in the midfield, while Taniela Rakuro and Ponipate Loganimasi start on a wing each. The last member of the First XV is Selestino Ravutaumada, who retains his place at fullback.

The Drua are currently second-last on the standings and will be eager to avoid the figurative wooden spoon by shocking the Reds at Suncorp Stadium. As for the Queenslanders, they only need a losing bonus point to secure a place in the top six.

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Queensland are coming off a thrilling four-point loss to the Hurricanes in Brisbane last week, which was a battle between the fourth and fifth-placed sides on the ladder. They’ll also be hoping to make amends after falling to the Drua 36-33 earlier in the campaign.

This match at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium will kick off at 9:35 pm FJT on Saturday evening.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins
2
Draws
0
Wins
3
Average Points scored
30
27
First try wins
100%
Home team wins
100%

Fijian Drua to take on Queensland Reds

  1. Haereiti Hetet
  2. Tevita Ikanivere (c) – 50th
  3. Samuela Tawake
  4. Mesake Vocevoce
  5. Isoa Nasilasila – 50th
  6. Etonia Waqa
  7. Motikiai Murray
  8. Kitione Salawa
  9. Philip Baselala
  10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
  11. Taniela Rakuro
  12. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre
  13. Iosefo Masi
  14. Ponipate Loganimasi
  15. Selestino Ravutaumada

Replacements 

  1. Zuriel Togiata
  2. Peni Ravai
  3. Mesake Doge
  4. Joseva Tamani
  5. Elia Canakaivata
  6. Simione Kuruvoli
  7. Inia Tabuavou
  8. Isikeli Rabitu

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1 Comment
I
IkeaBoy 44 days ago

Brilliant!!!!!!!

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JW 1 hour ago
Can Les Bleus avoid a Black-wash in New Zealand?

By “not a big deal”, I mostly meant financially for FFR as, contrary to many other Rugby Unions (most as broke as FFR) who are still making nearly all their money with such big events tickets sale, FFR is not. Using the Stade de France* even when it was sold out or near full capacity (something garanteed for an AB game) was only for the operator to turn on profits. Hence they would survive an AB boycott because not as much was at stake compared to other Unions who are still desperately chasing the biggest crowds as possible in order to survive.

I’m not sure what this attitude is supposed to depict. Are you saying that FFR don’t do anything for the game in France? Are the women and age teams all taken care of by the clubs too?


No, no one is going to boycott anybody. It is a matter for WR to sort out with FFR.


Nar, I’m afraid the problem is now that Galthie has come out and admitted they aren’t trying to fulfil their obligation (exclusion of a premium group), you are stuck between a rock and a hard place. If you had of just keep going the way you were you’d be able to continue (not that that was their aim, these are only short term selection policies) resting the half a dozen that look like they need it. WR have just released new player welfare initiatives, and one section looks directly related to this subject. You know how you guys are providing info on why players aren’t available, that would need to be done in detail to WR, and catch all these examples well outside of the welfare excuse.


They might allow the FFR to have their own metrics, but it’s hard to see given they’re making their own.

When you are overstretched and can’t do everything with the means at your disposal, the best way is to rank those tasks and assign your best forces following priorities:

- WC knock out game

- 6 Nations Chelem or decider game

- WC pool game

- (…)

- November International

- July International

Strongly disagree. Either 6N is at the top alone, or its at the bottom of the list. The worst thing you can do for the French game is only concentrate on beating the same 5 opponents every year. If you’re serious about being a good team you need to target those key internationals against the best teams.


I know it’s seem tough in the past, but I believe you can do it (so does HammerHead). Takata, you’ve seemed/been the one to talk the most commonsense on the issue, and I’m afraid I don’t believe you’re honestly believe what you just wrote.

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