The Fijian Drua will head into a testing encounter with the Waikato Chiefs in Christchurch this Sunday at 4:30pm (Fiji Time) buoyed by last week’s breakthrough away victory over the ACT Brumbies — but hampered by an increasing injury list that has forced a number of selection changes. Head coach Glen Jackson said the squad is “bloody stoked” with the Canberra result and eager for the next challenge, while also acknowledging the tough task ahead against a Chiefs side coming off a win over the Hurricanes.
Jackson praised the leadership shown by the most experienced members of the squad after the Brumbies win, pointing to overseas-hardened recruits Virimi Vakatawa, Manasa Mataele and Temo Mayanavanua as key influences. “We put a lot of work into getting an away win, and it was great that we did it,” Jackson said, noting the blend of veterans with more than 50 caps and the collective experience that has helped the Drua grow in professionalism and resilience.
The latest development for the Drua is an expanded injury list, concentrated in the back-three. Wing and fullback options Ponipate Loganimasi, Epeli Momo and Joji Nasova remain sidelined, and Isikeli Basiyalo has been placed on a 12-day concussion stand-down after suffering a head knock in Canberra. Regular outside centre Tuidraki Samusamuvodre has also been added to the casualty ward this week, compounding selection headaches for Jackson as the season moves into its latter stages.
To cover the absences, Jackson has made several changes to the matchday 23. Taniela Rakuro is called into the starting line-up to replace Basiyalo, while 22-year-old Maika Tuitubou — named as a debutant — will take Samusamuvodre’s place. In the halves Frank Lomani returns to the starting side at halfback with Simione Kuruvoli named on the bench as his primary cover; Issak Fines-Leleiwasa has been rested. Jackson also opted to move Isoa Nasilasila and Elia Canakaivata to the bench after their heavy workload and strong contributions earlier in the season.
Jackson made clear that control at the breakdown will be a pivotal battleground against the Chiefs. “It’s going to be massive for both teams — whoever controls the breakdowns secures the match,” he said, signalling a strategic emphasis on ruck speed and turnover prevention as a way to offset the absences out wide. The Chiefs’ recent scalp of the competition leaders, the Hurricanes, gives them momentum and heightens the significance of the Drua’s forward and breakdown performance.
Sunday’s fixture will therefore serve as an early measure of the Drua’s depth and adaptability. The win in Canberra provided a timely confidence boost, but the club’s ability to integrate Rakuro and debutant Tuitubou and to get the best from Lomani’s return will be decisive factors if the Drua are to repeat their road success against a Chiefs outfit brimming with confidence.
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