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Fijian Drua sack test-capped utility back for disciplinary reasons

(Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)

The Fijian Drua have sacked test-capped utility back Serupepeli Vularika for disciplinary reasons.

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The 31-year-old, who has played 12 tests for Fiji since 2016, will now return home from Australia, where the Drua are based for the Super Rugby Pacific season, where he will discuss his future with the Fiji Rugby Union.

While the reasoning behind Vularika’s dismissal remains unexplained, Drua chief executive Brian Thorburn condemned his actions.

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What it’s like being the only non-Fijian player at the Fijian Drua | Aotearoa Rugby Pod

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What it’s like being the only non-Fijian player at the Fijian Drua | Aotearoa Rugby Pod

“The foundation of a successful professional team are the values that underpin it. We set very high standards for our players, management and staff in this regard,” Thorburn said.

“All of us at the Drua are expected to live up to our values and adhere to these standards. We are disappointed to have to make this decision today regarding Seru, but it is in the best interest of our club.”

Vularika, who is primarily a halfback but can also play at first-five and in the midfield, was yet to feature for the Drua in their inaugural Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

Halfbacks Simione Kuruvoli and Peni Matawalu have both started in two matches apiece of the four fixtures played thus far this year, while new recruit Frank Lomani made his debut off the bench against the Reds last Saturday.

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The Drua currently sit in ninth place on the Super Rugby Pacific table, two points adrift from a play-offs berth with one win from four matches to their name.

They are scheduled to host the eighth-placed Western Force at Leichardt Oval in Sydney on Saturday.

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J
JW 2 hours ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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