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Fijian Drua announce co-captains for first time as squad for 2025 revealed
By Finn Morton
For the first time in the Fijian Drua’s short history, there will be co-captains leading the charge with Tevita Ikanivere and Frank Lomani set to share that honour. The experienced duo have been handed the leadership reins, with the Drua revealing their 41-man squad for 2025 on Tuesday.
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Ikanivere has served as the Drua’s captain in the past, having led the team with passion and intensity on multiple occasions over the past two seasons. The hooker also has the most Drua appearances in Super Rugby Pacific history with 38 caps.
With Ikanivere also taking on the role as co-captain of the Flying Fijians, including their history-making win over Wales on Monday morning, this appointment by the Drua won’t come as a surprise to many ahead of the club’s fourth season.
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Lomani will share the role in 2025. The halfback is the most experienced Super Rugby player in the squad with 53 appearances, and 28 of those have been with the Drua. There are only two players in the 41-man group that have 100 Super Rugby Pacific points and he’s one of them.
“It is a very big honour and a pleasure for me to be chosen. I thank Jackso (Glen Jackson) for believing in my capabilities to help lead the team this year,” Ikanivere said in a statement.
Lomani added: “(I’m) really excited and pretty emotional because I didn’t really expect to be called up to be co-captain with Tex.
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“Three years into this competition and going onto the fourth year, this team has come a long way. And being there since year one, I’m excited to be here with the Drua.”
Flying Fijians enforcer Peni Ravai headlines the new recruits for the Dura in 2025 after a successful stint with the Queensland Reds. Ravai made 27 appearances for the Brisbane-based club, and he scored three tries for the Queensland team.
Inia Tabuavou joins the Drua from Racing 92 in France’s Top 14, Vuate Karawalevu returns to Fiji after some time with the NSW Waratahs, Olympic silver medallist Ponipate Loganimasi has also put pen to paper, and Joseva Tamani re-joins the club after a stint with Colomiers Rugby Club.
The Dura have farewelled centre Apisalome Vota, prop Jone Koroiduadua and midfielder Michael Naitokani. But, as coach Glen Jackson discussed, the Drua have pulled together a highly talented group for the upcoming campaign.
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“It’s a very well-balanced side. We haven’t lost many players from last year and the ones that we’ve brought in have experience, mostly from overseas,” Glen Jackson explained.
“You’ll see guys like Joe Tamani coming back from France – he gave us excitement for the first two years, and he missed the third year.
“So, we’ve a good balance in what (is) still a very young team.”
Fijian Drua squad for 2025
PROPS: Haereiti Hetet, Emosi Tuqiri, Livai Natave, Peni Ravai, Mesake Doge, Samuele Tawake, Meli Tuni
HOOKER: Tevita Ikanivere (cc), Zuriel Togiatama, Mesulame Dolokoto
LOCK: Leone Rotuisolia, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Sailosi Vukalokalo
BACKROW: Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Meli Derenalagi, Joseva Tamani, Motikiai Murray, Etonia Waqa, Vilive Miramira
HALFBACK: Frank Lomani (cc), Simione Kuruvoli, Peni Matawalu, Philip Baselala
FLYHALF: Isikeli Rabitu, Caleb Muntz, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Kemu Valetini
CENTRE: Inia Tabuavou, Iosefo Masi, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Waqa Nalaga
BACK THREE: Junior Ratuva, Vuate Karawalevu, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese, Taniela Rakuro, Epeli Momo, Ponipate Loganimasi
Killer squad, going from strength to strength like Jaguares did. A big name star signing like Semi Radradra might not bolster them to that top level but it would bring a huge amount of excitement if they could get a signing like that in the next year or two.
Hope players like Kuruvoli, who had great games against Wales, Australia, and Georgia at 9 during the WC, and the young tens get plenty of game time as well.