Fijian Drua winger Taniela Rakuro made an impressive debut for the Taranaki Bulls, marking the occasion by tying the club’s record for the most tries in a single match with five during their 97-0 triumph over Thames Valley. This remarkable performance came in the final pre-season Ranfurly Shield match, showcasing Rakuro’s potential as he transitions from the Super Rugby Pacific to provincial rugby.
Hailing from Vusama, Nadroga, Rakuro dedicated his success to his village in Fiji, expressing gratitude to his teammates who assisted him throughout the game. “I want to dedicate the tries back to my village. Thanks to the boys for backing me up,” he remarked. His coach, Neil Barnes, praised Rakuro’s skills, noting his physicality and work ethic, which align with the traits valued in a Taranaki player. “Taniela’s a class finisher…We believe he can ignite our backline and help execute the game plan we’ve built,” he stated.
Rakuro, 25, joined Taranaki in June after being signed to fill the void left by Kini Naholo, who is sidelined with an injury. With a strong background of 23 matches in Super Rugby for the Drua, anticipation is high for Rakuro’s contributions as Taranaki prepares to face Wellington in their final pre-season match before their Ranfurly Shield challenge against Northland on August 2.
The exciting debut of Rakuro aligns with the growing pool of talent in Fijian rugby, especially as younger players continue to step up and make significant impacts in their teams. With a strong sense of community and commitment within the squad, the future looks bright for both Rakuro and Taranaki Rugby as they aim for success in the upcoming season.
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