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Flying Fijians and Drua stars set to shine at inaugural Drua 10s in Nadi
By Finn Morton
Rugby fans in Fiji will receive an early Christmas present at Nadi’s Prince Charles Park on Friday with multiple Drua and national team players named to compete in the first-ever Drua 10, which will get underway at 9 am local time.
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Drua Blue and Drua Green will take on another three teams in their respective pools as they set their sights on title glory late in the year. Six provincial teams are chasing the same top prize in the competition, with some of Fiji’s best-emerging talent selected for the event.
Nadroga Rugby, Yasawa Rugby and Lautoka Rugby will face Drua Blue in Men’s Pool A, while the Green side will come up against Ba Rugby, Nadi Rugby, and Malolo Rugby in Men’s Pool B. The fixtures have been released, with the Final set to kick-off at 2:40 pm in Nadi.
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Simione Kuruvoli, Vilive Miramira, Mesu Dolokoto, Inia Tabuavou, Kemu Valetini, Epeli Momo and Ilaisa Drosese are among the players to watch. Both teams have also been supplemented by local talent.
Mesake Doge, Simione Kuruvoli, Emosi Tuqiri, Zuriel Togiatama, Inia Tabuavou, Vilive Miramira, Peni Matawalu, Isikeli Rabitu, Kemu Valetini, Livai Natave, and Epeli Momo are the players from the Drua’s Super Rugby Pacific squad that have been picked in the Blue team.
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As for Drua Green, they have seven Super Rugby players in their ranks. Ilaisa Droasese headlines a roster that includes Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Mesulame Dolokoto, Meli Tuni, Junior Ratuva, Joseva Tamani, and Philip Baselala.
The Blue side has two Drua Development representatives and another two supplementary players, while the Green side will lean on development more heavily with five of those men in their squad for the Drua 10s.
There will be 17 matches on the day, which includes the Semi-Finals and the big dance. The matches will be played with eight-minute halves and three-minute half-time breaks to speed the game of the games along.
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This also ensures the matches will be played at an exciting intensity, with the one-day event set to finish by 5 pm. Fans will have the chance to meet players from the Drua and provincial teams afterwards, and for participating sides to return home.
Fijian Drua Blue
Mesake Doge, Simione Kuruvoli, Emosi Tuqiri, Zuriel Togiatama, Inia Tabuavou, Vilive Miramira, Peni Matawalu, Isikeli Rabitu, Kemu Valetini, Livai Natave, Epeli Momo, Maika Tuitubou*, Jack Volavola*, Kalioni Ratunabuabua**, Matai Tui Sireli**
Fijian Drua Green
Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Mesulame Dolokoto, Ilaisa Droasese, Meli Tuni, Junior Ratuva, Joseva Tamani, Philip Baselala, Isoa Tuwai*, Aisea Tuisese*, Isikeli Basiyalo*, Simeli Tuiteci*, John Muller*, Lincoln Kau’ata**, Joweli Wailevu**, Raymond Navunikaba**
*Denotes Drua Development
**Denotes Supplementary
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