Latest update: Fijian Drua will make their first appearance at the newly refurbished Govind Park Stadium in Ba this weekend, with head coach Glen Jackson describing the facility as “world class” and a chance to bring Super Rugby to a wider base of supporters from Fiji’s interior.
The Drua trained at Govind Park on Tuesday and Jackson said the squad was buoyed by the reception. “It’s something different not only for the players but also for the spectators. A lot of the people in the interior will be able to get down to Ba. So, we are excited for that,” he said, expressing the team’s hope to fill the stadium and tap into Ba’s strong footballing—and now rugby—support base. The match against the ACT Brumbies is the first of two home fixtures the Drua will stage in Ba this season, with a second match against the Otago Highlanders scheduled for later in May.
Selection news is a key development ahead of Saturday’s 3:35pm (Fiji Time) kick-off. Jackson confirmed there were no long-term concerns in the camp but that hooker Epeli Momo has not recovered from a hamstring niggle and Kavaia Tagivetaua is sidelined with an ankle injury; both are unavailable for selection. In their absence, Sairusi Ravudi has been named as cover at hooker and is poised to make his Drua debut from the bench, while emerging centre Iosefo Namoce could also earn his first minutes in a Drua jersey if called upon.
Jackson was measured in his assessment of the opposition, acknowledging the Brumbies’ strong start to the season. “They were unlucky to lose against the Reds last weekend, but they are the in-form team of the competition, so we are under no illusion of how difficult this is going to be,” he said, referencing the Brumbies’ narrow defeat and their reputation for stout defence. The coach stressed the importance of breakdown discipline and ball retention, warning that the match will be won or lost in turnover contests: “If we look after our own ball in the breakdown then it’s going to be a good game.”
The home venue adds a new dimension to the fixture. Govind Park’s upgrade marks a rare shift of a Super Rugby game away from the major centres and into a smaller town with a passionate sporting community. Jackson sees tangible benefits for development and community engagement, saying the venue creates a different atmosphere for both players and fans and opens access for supporters who might not usually travel to larger stadia.
For the Drua, the game offers both a showcase of squad depth and an opportunity to capitalize on home energy. The possible introductions of Ravudi and Namoce are part of a broader tactical plan to maintain physicality up front while injecting fresh legs and flair in the backline. With the match set for an afternoon slot in Fiji, organisers and the club will be watching how the local turnout and the refurbished facility influence both the style of play and match-day momentum.
As the Drua prepare to break new ground in Ba, attention will focus on whether the home advantage and last-minute inclusions can unsettle a well-drilled Brumbies side. The result will also be an early indicator of how the Drua plan to manage injuries and broaden their player base ahead of the mid-May clash with the Highlanders back at Govind Park.
Leave a comment