Queensland Reds backrower Seru Uru says the chance to play in front of family and friends in Fiji has added extra meaning to his side’s Round 6 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific fixture against the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua at Churchill Park today. The Fijian-born forward described the encounter as a “special occasion” as the Reds attempt to secure their first win on Fijian soil.
“It’s good to have Ben Volavola in the team, Daugunu and other boys who have been with the Reds for a few years now,” Uru said, reflecting on the calming influence of familiar faces in the squad. “Coming back home is special. We know it’s going to be tough, and we look forward to it.” His comments underline the personal stakes for several players and the broader challenge the Reds face away from Australia.
Winger Filipo Daugunu, another player with deep ties to Fiji, echoed Uru’s sentiment and warned the visitors to expect a physically intense, high-tempo game. “It’s always special to come back home and see your family, good to be here,” Daugunu said. He added that local conditions could play a part in how the contest unfolds: “We know it’s going to be tough and the weather, we don’t know what it’s going to be like.”
The Drua enter the clash as a difficult proposition at home, known for an explosive style and the backing of passionate home supporters. Both Uru and Daugunu stressed the need for the Reds to remain disciplined and execute their structures under pressure. “Expecting a good game, tough, physical and quick game because we know how good they are because they have the supporters and we look forward to it,” Daugunu said. “We will stick to our game plan,” Uru added, emphasising structure over flash as the visiting side seeks to curb the Drua’s momentum.
This match marks another test for the Reds’ Fijian contingent and is the latest chapter in a growing Super Rugby Pacific rivalry. For Uru, the return home is not simply about the result but about representing family and community on familiar turf. The emotional lift of playing in front of relatives and friends at Churchill Park — the venue for today’s clash — is one the Reds hope will be channelled into a composed performance.
As the teams prepare to kick off, the narrative to watch is whether the Reds can combine the emotional boost of a homecoming for several players with the discipline needed to subdue the Drua’s pace and physicality. With history still lacking for the Reds in Fiji, today’s outcome will matter for confidence and momentum as the Super Rugby Pacific season unfolds.
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