Maika Tuitubou will make his Swire Shipping Fijian Drua debut this Sunday at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch, head coach Glen Jackson confirmed as he named his side for the Super Round clash with competition leaders the Chiefs. The selection hands the Lakeba-born outside centre his first Drua cap and is the latest sign the franchise is promoting players from its development pathway into Super Rugby ranks.
Tuitubou is a product of Swami Vivekananda College and came through the Nadi Rugby U19 system before representing Fiji at U20 level. He featured for the national U20 side on their New Zealand tour and at the 2023 World Rugby Under-20 Championship, later turning out for the Fiji Warriors in 2023 and 2024. The Drua placed him at Norths Rugby Club in Queensland’s Hospital Cup as part of his pathway to the senior squad; he also has maternal links to Moala and Nadi.
The starting XV named for Christchurch blends returning experience with youth. Haereiti Hetet will pack down at loosehead prop and make his 47th appearance for the Drua, with Mesake Doge at tighthead and Zuriel Togiatama at hooker. Mesake Vocevoce and co-captain Temo Mayanavanua form the second row. The backrow features Etonia Waqa at blindside, Kitione Salawa at openside and Isoa Tuwai at number eight.
In the backline, co-captain Frank Lomani returns from injury at scrumhalf and will pair with Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula at flyhalf. Virimi Vakatawa is named at inside centre with debutant Tuitubou outside him. Manasa Mataele, fresh from a two-try performance last week, starts on the left wing while Taniela Rakuro takes the right wing, and Ilaisa Droasese returns at fullback.
The bench provides frontrow cover in Kavaia Tagivetaua, Emosi Tuqiri and Peni Ravai, while Isoa Nasilasila backs up the locks and Elia Canakaivata is the loose-forward option. Simione Kuruvoli is the reserve half, with Kemu Valetini covering midfield and Inia Tabuavou listed as back-three cover.
Jackson’s selection also responds to a spate of absences: Isikeli Rabitu is sidelined with concussion, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Isikeli Basiyalo are out with leg injuries, Ponipate Loganimasi is unavailable with an arm injury, and Epeli Momo and Meli Tuni have been ruled out with knee problems. Those losses reduce options in both the forwards and backline, increasing the importance of the experienced names returning to the matchday 23.
Sunday’s match pits the Drua against a high-flying Chiefs outfit and represents a test of the club’s depth after an interrupted run of availability. Tuitubou’s debut is the latest tangible outcome of the Drua development pipeline, while Lomani’s comeback aims to steady a side reshaped by injuries and concussion protocols as they chase Super Round points in Christchurch.
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