Fijian Drua secure star flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula on new deal

Fijian Drua flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula has re-signed a new deal with the club until what’s believed to be the end of the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, which is a major coup for the side and Fijian rugby ahead of the Men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.

It’s been reported by Fijivillage that Armstrong-Ravula has penned a contract extension for two more seasons in the southern hemisphere’s premier rugby competition, although the Drua didn’t specify a timeframe in their press release.

Much like uncle Richie Mo’unga who used to play for the Crusaders and All Blacks, Armstrong-Ravula has demonstrated an impressive standard of composure, skill and rugby IQ while taking on some of the world’s best in this competition and at Test level.

Armstrong-Ravula debuted for the Drua last season against the Blues in Whangarei and is already the club’s all-time leading point scorer. The No. 10 has led the Drua to some famous wins in that period, including triumphs over both the Chiefs and Crusaders.

Earlier this month, the Drua handed the ladder-leading Chiefs their first loss of the season. Armstrong-Ravula played a key role in that upset after returning to the starting side, with two conversions and three penalty goals at Lautoka’s Churchill Park.

Flying Fijians coach Mick Byrne described Armstrong-Ravula and other Drua flyhalf Caleb Muntz as “world-class” players before the Pacific Nations Cup in 2024, so there’s no question this is a significant re-signing for the Drua and Fijian rugby.

“Just really blessed, really grateful to the coaches for giving me this opportunity in a very special club like the Drua,” Armstrong-Ravula said in a statement. “I’m very excited for the future.”

Armstrong-Ravula featured in three Fiji Tests during last year’s November internationals, with the youngster starting at fullback on two occasions against Scotland and Spain. The highlight was a try against Scotland at Murrayfield, although Fiji were beaten comprehensively.

Under new head coach Glen Jackson in Super Rugby, Armstrong-Ravula has been locked in a tussle and friendly rivalry with Muntz. With both men gunning for the same starting spot, that competition was always going to make both playmakers better.

Armstrong-Ravula started against the Hurricanes in round two, and has since returned to the First XV for matches against the Chiefs and ACT Brumbies. In those three starts, Armstrong-Ravula has played 80 minutes in each appearance.

While the Drua went down in a thriller to the NSW Waratahs in Sydney earlier this season, Armstrong-Ravula was especially impressive, helping drive the team around the park from flyhalf and later from fullback.

But with RugbyPass reporting in February that Muntz is “close” to signing with Top 14 hopefuls Provence, this transfer news becomes even more important for the Drua.

“This is a significant re-signing for the Fijian Drua as we believe Izzy can develop into a world-class player,” Baden Stephenson, General Rugby Manager Rugby, Fijian Drua, explained.

“Izzy is very mature for a young man and works extremely hard on his game. When you look across history of Super Rugby there hasn’t been too [many] players at his age that have had the same impact, skill set and temperament.

“We love that he is very grounded, grateful, lives the club values and is invested in every aspect of our club.”