The Fiji Times

Skipper commends brothers

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua skipper Meli Derenalagi describes the 41-17 win over the Reds as an emotional one as they have secured a spot in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific quarter finals next week. “It’s quite an emotional win for the players and I as we were excited to play in front of...

Paul hopes to follow sibling

“He is my biggest inspiration.” These were the words of Paul Dolokoto, the younger brother of Swire Shipping Fijian Drua prop Mesulame Dolokoto, while watching him play against the Reds last night. Paul, who is also a member of the Fiji Warriors side just returned from Samoa after winning the World Rugby Pacific Challenge. “He’s...

Tamani shines in final Drua home game

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua lock Joseva Tamani had a memorable last match in front of home fans scoring a try to seal a 41-17 win against the Reds to help secure his side a spot in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific playoffs. Tamani is set to leave the Drua at the end of...

Byrne, Drua reflects on historic finals berth

From the VFL to Fijian rugby, Mick Byrne rates his latest feat among the most special after the Drua earned a Super Rugby Pacific finals berth and dedicated it to the Australian coach’s late father. The Drua ran rampant in the second half on Saturday in Suva, scoring 24 unanswered points to beat the Queensland...

11,000km trip to watch Fijian Drua

Pablo Donvido and his mates travelled more than 11,000km from Argentina to Suva to watch the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua take on the Queensland Reds at the HFC Bank Stadium yesterday. “I have always loved watching rugby from when I was a child, and coming all this way to watch Fiji play is just amazing,”...

Electric atmosphere hits Vueta, cousins

“Electric” was how Kadavu lad Lasarusa Vueta described the atmosphere at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva yesterday. He said watching the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua take it to the Queensland Reds in the company of his cousins was nothing short of exhilarating. “It’s really fun and exciting watching our boys play, here at their...

Family travels early for match

The family members of Swire Shipping Fijian Drua player Kalaveti Ravouvou came out in numbers to watch their son play his last home game for the Nadi-based side as they beat the Reds 41-17 at the HFC Bank Stadium. Ravouvou’s uncle, Mesake Lalai said it was pleasing to see his nephew play his heart out...

Drua power | Derenalagi thanks fans for support

“They’ve played in mud for four months in a year and they just love it and I’ve seen it first-hand this year, driving across parks that don’t even have football fields so whatever the weather is, there is no exception.” These were the words of Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Mick Byrne as they...

Crusaders to host Drua in quarter-final match

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will take on defending champions the Crusaders next Saturday in Christchurch, New Zealand. The Meli Derenalagi captained side beat the Queensland Reds 41-17 in Suva yesterday to reach the Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinals for the first time. In other quarterfinal matches, the Blues will take on the Waratahs at 7:35pm...

Drua sails through | Fans live up to expectation

Cheers of victory and joy filled the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva last night as the final whistle was blown to confirm the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua’s spot in the quarterfinals of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition. The Mick Byrne coached side hammered the Reds 41-17, in a match that has catapulted...

Drua’s defining moment

Let’s take a look into the past games and replay all the memories of when the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua started its journey in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition. A combination of two modes of sea transport from the olden days when our ancestors use the waqa vakaviti also known as the...

Drua book quarter-final spot after victory over Reds

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua side is through to the quarter finals of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific after a 41-17 win over the Reds in Suva this evening. Tied 17-all at halftime, the Drua scored 24 unanswered points in the second spell. This is the Drua’s first ever win with a bonus...

Super Rugby Pacific | Drua, Reds locked at 17 all

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua side scored three first half tries to the Reds two but the scores remain tied at 17-all at halftime in a Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific match in Suva. Salestino Ravutaumada, Kalaveti Ravouvou and Vilive Miramira scored the tries for the home side. The Fijian Drua need to win...

Kearsey happy with reps

Australia Deaf Rugby coach David Kearsey is impressed with the level of talent our deaf rugby players have in Fiji. Kearsey is in Fiji as part of Fiji Rugby Union and Rugby Australia’s “Vuvale Week” tour, funded by the Australian Government, and conducted a training session with players from Deaf Rugby Fiji and said the...

Evans banks on fans

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua chief executive officer Mark Evans says Fijian Drua fans will play a very crucial role in determining their performance, when they take on the Reds in their last home game in Fiji of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season. The Drua currently has four wins in their five home...

Down to the wire as Drua ready for Reds

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua chief executive officer Mark Evans believes the Drua has come a long way since their inclusion in the Super Rugby competition. “To be able to reach the stage where we have a chance into the quarter-finals was probably an aim for us internally,” he said. “We thought to get to the...

Ma’afu rates Ikanivere

Former Fiji Water Flying Fijians prop Campese Ma’afu highly rates the young Swire Shipping Fijian Drua hooker, Tevita Ikanivere. Ma’afu said on Greg Clarke’s podcast that he knew Ikanivere was destined for greatness when he was part of the 2019 Rugby World Cup extended squad. “Back in the 2019 RWC preparations, I had a chat...

Kala’s top finish target

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua player Kalaveti Ravouvou hopes to finish off his last home game for the 2023 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season with a win against the Reds. Ravouvou, who will join the Bristol Bears after this season said he is grateful for the opportunity given to him by the staff and...

First for Tuqiri to watch Drua

Former Wallabies great Lote Tuqiri says he is excited to watch his first-ever Swire Shipping Fijian Drua game live and is expecting a quality display of rugby when the men in blue take on the Reds in their last home game here in Fiji at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. “Just from watching their...

Samo backs home side

Former Reds and Wallabies player Radike Samo is adamant that today’s Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific match between the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and Reds at the HFC Bank Stadium in Laucala Bay. “It’ll be a tough game for both sides as they will look for a spot in the play-offs,” said Samo. “I...

Reds players up for challenge

Fijian players in the Reds squad, Peni Ravai, Serupepeli Uru, Filipo Daugunu and Suliasi Vunivalu have all been named in Brad Thorn’s staring 15 to take on the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva today. “We expect a tough game,” said Daugunu who will start at left wing for the...

Reds treat game as final

For us it is the grand final. Queensland Reds utility backline player James O’Connor made this comments ahead of their do or die clash against the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua this Saturday. The side arrived on Thursday afternoon and are fully aware of what is at stake, as both teams are vying for the quarter-finals...

Tough task for Raiwalui to select team, says Samo

Legendary former Wallabies number eight Radike Samo believes Fiji Water Flying Fijians head coach Simon Raiwalui will have a tough task selecting his squad for this year’s Rugby World Cup in France. Samo said picking the best to don the white jersey would prove testing because Fiji had a lot of good ruggers playing overseas,...

‘We’ll give it our all’ | Derenalagi upbeat about team

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua skipper Meli Derenalagi is adamant his teammates will give the Reds a good game today at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. It is their last match in the regular season and Derenalagi said the players were all ready and looking forward to it. “The boys are excited and emotional as...

Brace for another thrilling showdown

If you thought last weekend was full of drama and excitement in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific, well, strap yourselves in for a wild ride again this weekend. The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua are still in the race for a quarter-final spot by snatching defeat from the jaws of victory against Pacific brothers...

Drua done with recruitment for next season

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua is always on the look-out for overseas based Fijian qualified players. This according to Drua CEO Mark Evans. However, Evans while responding to questions during a press conference on Wednesday revealed that the Nadi based side was more or less done with their signings for next season. “We have pretty...

Development players set to join main squad

Six players from the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua development squad are expected to make the main squad for next season. Drua CEO Mark Evans revealed this during a press conference in Nadi on Wednesday. “Six guys who were in development this year are going to be in the main 37-member squad for next year,” he...

Harris: We need to get better

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua assistant coach Brad Harris believes the players should dominate in every aspect of the game when they take on the Reds in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific clash at the HFC Bank Stadium tomorrow. “We reviewed our performance against Moana Pasifika and looked at the areas we can get...

Playoff race intensifies

Moana Pasifika is the only team that can’t make the playoffs heading into the final round of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season. The Highlanders, Fijian Drua, and Rebels were all ranked 9th to 11th last week and won in round 14 to revive their top eight prospects. The Chiefs have secured the top spot...

Rugby

Namosi dedicates win to late coach