Sairusi Ravudi and Iosefo Namoce have been named among the replacements as the SWIRE SHIPPING Fijian Drua prepare to face the Brumbies at 4R Stadium, Govind Park in Ba this Saturday, setting up potential Super Rugby Pacific debuts for both young forwards. The selections, announced in the Drua’s matchday 23, make the Ba fixture a significant homecoming for one local talent and a milestone for another recruited through Fiji’s sevens pathway.
Ravudi, listed at No. 16 as a Drua Development player, hails from Nakorovou, Dreketi in Rewa, with maternal links to Nasukamai, Nalawa in Ra. His rise through New Zealand Fijian Secondary Schools to the Fiji U20 squad marks a rapid progression into professional ranks, and the opportunity to make his Super Rugby Pacific debut in the Western Division adds a personal edge to Saturday’s match for the youngster.
Namoce, named at No. 23 on the bench, arrives at the Drua after being recruited from the Fiji Airways 7s programme. The coaching staff highlighted his physicality during pre-season, praising his “raw strength and determination” that have impressed through trials and training. His first senior cap would be presented as the reward for that form and the club’s continued emphasis on promoting national talent through domestic development channels.
Head coach Glen Jackson said the atmosphere at the team’s open training in Ba earlier this week reinforced the decision to blood young players on home soil. “The energy from the Ba community during our open training on Tuesday was electric,” Jackson said. “Sairusi brings a high rugby IQ and a great pedigree, while Iosefo provides that raw power we need in the back end of the game. There is no better place for these young men to start their professional journeys than right here in Ba.”
Jackson’s 23-name squad fields a starting XV led by captain Frank Lomani at scrumhalf and includes Haereiti Hetet at loosehead prop and Mesake Doge at tighthead. Ponipate Loganimasi returns from injury to wear the No. 11 jersey, while Joji Nasova — who made his Hurricanes debut in the last round — will take the No. 14 shirt and play in front of his home crowd. Isoa Tuwai is among the impact options off the bench alongside Ravudi and Namoce.
The selections underline the Drua’s dual focus this season: competing in Super Rugby Pacific while continuing to identify and nurture local and homegrown talent. Selecting two potential debutants for a high-profile home match signals confidence in the development pathways that feed the squad, from school-level representative teams to the national sevens programme.
With community anticipation high and a number of young players poised to step up, Saturday’s clash with the Brumbies promises to be as much about player development and local pride as it is about competition points. The Drua will unveil whether Ravudi and Namoce take the field when the match gets under way at Govind Park.
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