Sikeli Rabitu will start at inside centre for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua this Saturday as the side prepares for a historic Super Rugby Pacific fixture — the Drua’s first-ever home game in Ba at 4R Electrical Govind Park against the Brumbies. The selection underlines a season-long shift for Rabitu from a utility back to a more consistent midfield role.
Since joining the Drua, Rabitu has been deployed across the backline, filling gaps at first five, fullback and inside centre. He said the move to a regular number 12 spot this year has given him clarity and room to develop. “When I first joined the Drua I played in many positions and was a utility back. Sometimes I played first five, sometimes inside centre and fullback. But this year I’ve been playing inside centre and have learned a lot in the past few games,” Rabitu said.
The decision to persist with Rabitu at 12 reflects coaching intent to build stability in the midfield as the Drua continue their Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific campaign. Team management used last week’s bye to sharpen preparations ahead of the Ba clash, with Rabitu confirming the squad had worked hard on systems and match readiness. “Our preparation has been good. We had the bye last week and we are preparing really well for this game as it is our first ever game in Ba. The boys are well prepared for the game,” he added.
The match at 4R Electrical Govind Park represents a landmark occasion for the Drua, bringing Super Rugby to Ba for the first time and offering local supporters a rare opportunity to watch top-level domestic rugby on home soil. For the Brumbies, it will be a challenge to adapt to the occasion and the local atmosphere, while the Drua will be aiming to feed off home support as they try to pick up momentum in the competition.
Rabitu’s emergence as a settled inside centre will be watched closely: the role demands a combination of physicality in contact and distribution skills to link the forwards and backline. His continued selection suggests the Drua coaching staff value his growing consistency in that mix as they enter a key block of fixtures.
Fans can watch the Drua host the Brumbies live on FBC Sports via the WaleSI set-top box. The match is being billed as an important development for rugby in Ba and for the Drua’s bid to establish a stable spine as the Super Rugby Pacific season unfolds.
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