The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua have made three late changes to their match-day 23 for tomorrow’s Super Rugby Pacific clash with the Western Force at Churchill Park in Lautoka, with marquee signing Virimi Vakatawa drafted into the starting XV and two bench adjustments finalised after Wednesday’s initial selection.
Vakatawa comes in at inside centre to replace Iosefo Namoce, a move that shifts the Drua’s midfield makeup for the 4.30pm kickoff on Sunday. The change was confirmed as part of the Drua’s final preparations following today’s captain’s run in Nadi. Vakatawa’s inclusion is the headline alteration to the side named earlier this week.
On the bench, Vilive Miramira replaces lock Mesake Vocevoce at the no.19 jersey, while Isoa Tuwai has been moved into the no.21 spot vacated by Miramira in the match-day 23 first announced on Wednesday. The reshuffle adjusts the team’s forward cover and backline utility options heading into the important Lautoka fixture.
Both teams completed final hit-outs today ahead of the match. The Drua held their captain’s run at the Fiji Airways training field in Legalega, Nadi, while the Western Force conducted a closed session at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Wailoaloa, Nadi. The contrasting public access to the sessions means supporters got a final glimpse of the Drua preparations but not of the visitors’ last training details.
Tomorrow’s encounter at Churchill Park will be the latest chapter in the Drua’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign and comes with the usual local expectation around home fixtures in Lautoka. Kickoff is scheduled for 4.30pm, with the Drua looking to use the late changes to sharpen their game plan against the Australian outfit.
The changes follow the match 23 announced midweek and represent the final selection decisions from the Drua coaching staff ahead of game day. Supporters and media were alerted to the updates today as the club put final training sessions behind them and confirmed the adjusted lineup.
Team officials and coaches have not released public comments on the reasons behind the specific personnel moves, but the adjustments will be scrutinised for their impact on the opening exchanges and bench contributions when the sides run out at Churchill Park tomorrow.
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