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Super Rugby Pacific

Fijian Drua’s try-scoring whiz Taniela Rakuro named for first start of 2024

By Finn Morton

276 days ago

Taniela Rakuro of the Fijian Drua celebrates after scoring the winning try during the round one Super Rugby Pacific match between Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua at Mt Smart Stadium, on February 25, 2023, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

After losing to the Chiefs in Hamilton last time out, the Fijian Drua have made four changes to their starting side including the selection of try-scoring machine Taniela Rakuro on the left wing.

Rakuro was compared to Flying Fijians great Rupeni Caucaunibuca after scoring a headline-grabbing double against the ACT Brumbies during pre-season.

The wing, who scored the match-winner on debut against Moana Pasifika last season, stunned fans and the Brumbies alike with blistering pace and raw strength.

Rakuro comes into the starting side for the first time this season, with the winger’s only other appearance coming off the pine against the Chiefs – playing just over 20 minutes.

Haereiti Hetet will pack down in an otherwise new-look front-row trio this week with Flying Fijians hooker Tevita Ikanivere and prop Mesake Doge coming into the starting side.

The rest of the run-on side remains unchanged with the only other change coming at inside centre. Apisalome Vota returns to the starting side after wearing the No. 12 jersey in the first three matches this season.

Vota will link up with Iosefo Masi in the midfield. Masi was voted the Fijian Drua’s Fan Player of the Match after the team’s 46-29 defeat to the Chiefs on Saturday.

With only one win to their name so far this season, the Dura will be desperate to bounce back at Churchill Park as they look to remain within touching distance of the top eight.

The last time they played at the Lautoka venue, the Drua stunned reigning champions the Crusaders at home for the second time in as many years.

Fijian Drua to take on NSW Waratahs

Haereiti Hetet
Tevita Ikanivere
Mesake Doge
Mesake Vocevoce
Leone Rotuisolia
Etonia Waqa
Vilive Miramira
Meli Derenalagi (c)
Simione Kuruvoli
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
Taniela Rakuro
Apisalome Vota
Iosefo Masi
Selestino Ravutaumada
Ilaisa Droasese

Reserves

Zuriel Togiatama
Emosi Tuqiri
Samuela Tawake
Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta
Kitione Salawa
Peni Matawalu
Kemu Valetini
Epeli Momo

Comments

1 Comment

Red and White Dynamight 275 days ago

The Drua will only get better and better. Professional coaching; regular matches; player retention and development. Already beaten the Crusaders in Fiji, twice. The sky is the limit. Bula vinaka.

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Bull Shark 24 minutes ago

'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

Nor 1652 - 1981 if you wanted to get really into this train of thought.

Round about the time England was cruising around the world raping and pillaging. Like “Heroes”. Killing Zulus and Boers and such.

What’s New Zealand or Australia doing for the game in Asia? Will they ever play a game against China - or is that asking too much!?

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AC 1 hour ago

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No I know. Like I mentioned, many would be opposed, most of all France. France's domestic rugby rivals their domestic football, that's how healthy it is.

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AC 1 hour ago

Harlequins 'riddled with errors' and physically 'weren’t at the races'

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HU 1 hour ago

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a long long time ago, when I was writing articles myself (as a way to earn some money during my university studies) there was some editing involved .... if I had put up crap like "better than a British Lion" I would have got called into the editor-in-chief's office and been reminded about taking the profession seriously ....

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HU 1 hour ago

URC chief executive addresses potential Premiership merger

no way France would join .... why would they, the Top14 is perhaps the healthiest competition in (professional) club rugby and even the D2 seems to be up and running ..... I can't see any selling point to be convincing ....

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ED 2 hours ago

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Barry 3 hours ago

'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

Always has elevated the profile of African rugby?

They didn't do much for the games profile from 1981 - 1992. Not in a positive sense at least.

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago

'Tom has the potential to be better than a British and Irish Lion'

What does “better than a British Lion” mean?

As good as a springbok?

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Hellhound 4 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

On this I agree with you. There were many great teams and many different eras of rugby with very different rule sets. It's actually impossible to declare one team or player as the best ever. However, this is definitely the best SA team SA has ever had. All the accolades speaks for itself.

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Hellhound 4 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

All you can do is hate on SA. Jealousy makes you nasty and it's never a good look. Those who actually knows rugby is all talking about the depth and standards of the SA players. They don't wear blinders like you. The NH had many years to build the depth and players for multiple competition the SA teams didn't. There will be growing pains. Not least travel issues. The NH teams barely have to travel to play an opponent opposed to the SA teams. That is just one issue. There is many more issues, hence the "growing pains". The CC isn't yet a priority and this is what most people have a problem with. Saying SA is disrespecting that competition which isn't true. SA don't have the funds yet to go big and get the players needed for 3 competitions. It all costs a lot of money. It's over using players and get them injured or prioritising what they can deliver with what are available. To qualify for CC, they need to perform well in the URC, so that is where the main priorities is currently. In time that will change with sponsors coming in fast. They are at a distinct disadvantage currently compared to the rest. Be happy about that, because they already are the best international team. You would have hated it if they kept winning the club competitions like the URC and CC every year too. Don't be such a sourmouth loser. See the complete picture and judge accordingly. There is many factors you aren't even aware of at play that you completely ignore just to sound relevant. Instead of being an positive influence and spread the game and help it grow, we have to read nonsense like this from haters. Just grow up and stop hating on the game. Go watch soccer or something that loves people like you.

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Barry 5 hours ago

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The RFU won't go for it especially now they've enhanced hybrid contracts and some control over their international players.

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Barry 8 hours ago

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Exactly. They haven't learnt. Their regions and U20s are also whipping boys which is the bigger concern. Nothing coming through.

They maxed out the credit cards to keep their golden generation of players at home. It's now destroyed the game at every level in Wales.

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Barry 8 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Nor can the same coach turn it around. That's been proven across the last year. It will be years before they are even competitive again. It's a 5 year + job. No way Gatland will be around for that.

Italy's nadir was around ten years ago and even they were better equipped with their regions, U20s and senior squad and management. Wales have further to fall.

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Barry 8 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

If they're happy at losing 12 on the bounce, get a regional coach who would be as bad but cost about a sixth in salary.

10 Go to comments

dw 9 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I'm no expert but I've never seen nz or even aus as doing much for those nations? Both have benefited from their countries players playing for us! I see most of the top nations looking after themselves and maybe it's a world rugby issue?

129 Go to comments

richard davies 9 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

At 600k a year I would think there will be quite a Que. win lose or draw you can blame the small stature of the players and the WRU