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Fijian Drua confirm seven new signings, including three test stars

(CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

The Fijian Drua have announced the arrival of seven new players to their growing roster ahead of the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

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A fortnight after they unveiled their last batch of signings, the new expansion franchise have confirmed the acquisitions of Flying Fijian stars Mesulame Dolokoto, Teti Tela and Haereiti Hetet.

After having made his test debut for Fiji in 2018, Dolokoto has gone on to play 10 times for his country, playing as recently as this year when he came off the bench against the All Blacks in Hamilton three months ago.

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All Blacks react to 104-14 victory over USA Eagles in Washington DC

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All Blacks react to 104-14 victory over USA Eagles in Washington DC

The 26-year-old hooker, who was part of the Drua squad that won the 2018 NRC in Australia, also featured at the 2019 World Cup and most recently played for the Glasgow Warriors before being released ahead of the current United Rugby Championship season.

Capable of playing at first-five or second-five, not only is Tela set to provide the Drua with selection options throughout the backline, but he will also offer valuable experience attained from various levels of the game.

Born in Fiji and schooled in Australia, the 30-year-old featured prominently in the NRC for both Queensland Country and Brisbane City between 2015 and 2019 and made one appearance for the Reds in Super Rugby against the Sunwolves in 2018.

A former Fiji U20 representative, Tela also spent a season in Spain between 2016 and 2017 and played for the Fijian Latui in Global Rapid Rugby last year.

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After starring Fiji’s win over the Barbarians at Twickenham following the 2019 World Cup, Tela made his official test debut off the bench against the All Blacks in Hamilton in July.

Hetet, meanwhile, is the youngest of the internationally-capped trio, but his credentials in his brief professional career indicate his quality.

The Kiwi-born loosehead prop made his provincial debut for Waikato in 2018 before shifting to Bay of Plenty, who he currently plays for, last year.

In 2019, Hetet made his debut for the Maori All Blacks, playing in back-to-back matches against Fiji in Suva and Rotorua.

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However, the 24-year-old was called into the Fijian squad last year for the Autumn Nations Cup, making his test debut against Georgia in Edinburgh, and won his second cap against the All Blacks in Dunedin earlier this year.

Elsewhere, Counties Manukau duo Zuriel Togiatama and Viliame Rarasea have also been signed by the Drua to boost their depth in the tight five.

A former Fiji U20 lock, Rarasea has been a constant presence in New Zealand’s provincial scene, having played for Counties Manukau since 2013, but his deal with the Drua presents his first opportunity at Super Rugby level.

At the age of 22, Togiatama is among the youngest players in the Drua squad, but will provide the likes of Dolokoto and Tevita Ikanivere with competition to start at hooker.

Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, a former Fiji U20 utility back who played for the New England Free Jacks in this year’s Major League Rugby, has also been added to the squad, as has local lad Vilive Miramira, a loose forward for Nadi in the Skipper Cup.

Additionally, the Drua have confirmed injured Flying Fijians wing Alivereti Veitokani will be part of the franchise’s wider set-up next year as aims to play for the team in the lead-up to the 2023 World Cup.

The eight-test star, who last played for Fiji at the 2019 World Cup and is a World Sevens Series veteran, was signed with London Irish between 2019 and 2020 and was part of the Drua side that claimed the 2018 NRC title.

“Both Fiji Rugby and the Fijian Drua are committed to player welfare,” Fiji Rugby Union chief executive John O’Connor said of Veitokani’s involvement with the Drua.

“We will help our players overcome serious injury and return to doing what they love. Over the next year, our medical and rehabilitation teams will ease Alivereti back into the game, and we’re confident he’ll be back stronger, faster and even more creative than ever.”

Confirmed Fijian Drua signings for 2022 Super Rugby Pacific

Props: Haereiti Hetet (Bay of Plenty), Jone Koroiduadua (Nadroga), Manasa Saulo (Rugby ATL), Samu Tawake (Rugby United New York), Meli Tuni (Suva), Kaliopasi Uluilakepa (Northland)

Hookers: Mesulame Dolokoto (Glasgow Warriors), Tevita Ikanivere (Suva), Zuriel Togiatama (Counties Manukau)

Locks: Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta (Tasman), Chris Minimbi (Naitasiri), Isoa Nasilasila (Southern Districts), Viliame Rarasea (Counties Manukau), Ratu Leone Rotuisolia (Sydney University), Sorovakatini Tuifagalele (Suva)

Loose Forwards: Meli Derenalagi (Fiji Sevens), Vilive Miramira (Nadi), Raikabula Momoedonu (Northland), Nemani Nagusa (Nadroga), Rusiate Nasova (Nadroga), Kitione Salawa Jr (Fiji Sevens), Joseva Tamani (NHRU Wildfires)

Halfbacks: Simione Kuruvoli (Tailevu), Ratu Peni Matawalu (Namosi), Serupepeli Vularika (LA Giltinis)

First-Fives: Napolioni Bolaca (Fiji Sevens),  Kitione Taliga (Fiji Sevens), Teti Tela (GPS Old Boys)

Midfielders: Vinaya Habosi (Namosi), Kalione Nasoko (Fiji Sevens), Kalaveti Ravouvou (Namosi), Apisalome Vota (Suva)

Outside Backs: Onisi Ratave (Bay of Plenty), Tuidraki Samusamuvodre (New England Free Jacks)

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Comments

2 Comments
S
Salvin 1105 days ago

Fiji badly needs a superstar at no. 10 for a very longtime.

i
isaac 1105 days ago

I would like to see Teti Tela and Bolaca have a go for the No10 jumper

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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