Fiji Sun

Senirusi Seruvakula has three weeks to prepare a Fiji Air­ways Fijian Drua team for the 2018 Australian National Rugby Championship (NRC) which kicks off next month.

And time is definitely not on his side as he is expected to have a full squad next week.

NRC teams like Brisbane City and defending champions Queensland Country named their squad last week but Seruvakula named his 33-member squad on Tuesday.

Some of the squad members will march into camp at the Suva Penin­sula Hotel today but players in the Naitasiri team will join camp over the weekend after they played in the HFC Bank Farebrother Trophy challenge against Tailevu.

“We have less than three weeks to prepare,”he said.

“My concern right now is to pre­pare the team for the tough compe­tition as they are only seven teams in this year’s competition and there is no bye, which means that we will be playing every week.”

Seruvakula is expecting Mosese Voka, Frank Lomani, Serupepeli Vularika, Joeli Veitayaki and Peni Raidre to play lead roles.

The Fiji Airways Drua will kick off the 2018 NRC with two home matches against the Melbourne Rising and Brisbane City.

The eight teams for the 2018 NRC season include the Canberra Vi­kings, NSW Country Eagles, Syd­ney Rays, Brisbane City, Queens­land Country, Melbourne Rising, Western Force and the Fiji Airways Drua.

The team will play their first match against Melbourne Rising at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori, on September 1.

The Fiji Airways Drua selected ex­tended team:

Forwards – Eroni Mawi, Joeli Vei­tayaki, Mateo Qolisese, Ratunaisa Navuma, Mesulame Dolokoto, Vugakoto Veremalua, Mosese Du­civaki, Luke Tagi, Alivereti Rabu­kawaqa, Tevita Naqali, Peni Naul­ago, Albert Tuisue, Mosese Voka, Johnny Dyer Jone Navori, Filimoni Seru, Eremasi Radrodro, Peni Ra­idre.

Backs – Serupepeli Vularika, Frank Lomani, Peni Matawalu, Alivereti Veitokani, Jone Manu, Cyril Reece, Jona Sawailau, Poa­sa Waqanibau, Apisalome Vota, Asesela Atunaisa, Avete Daveta, Le­vani Kurumudu, Aporosa Tabula­waki, Apisalome Waqatabu, Enele Malele.

Shadow Players – Atunaisa Maio­no, Seru Cakobau, Penijamini Makutu, Samuela Saqiwa, Sailosi Dawai, Elia Canakaivata, Aisea Natoga, Veramu Dikidikilati, Peni Vukayawa, Apenisa Deve, Joseva Turuva, Asesela Ratudamu.

Edited by Osea Bola

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