Rugby sevens Olympian Kitione Taliga is ready to replace injured Peceli Nacebe for the Fiji Airways Drua.

The Drua face defending Australian National Rugby Championship champion Perth Spirit in the fourth round at the ANZ Stadium in Suva on Saturday.

The Dratabu,Nadi native was among the new faces included by coach Senirusi Seruvakula last week.

Taliga trained with the side but did not feature against the NSW Country Eagles at Lawaqa Park last Saturday.

But he is likely to get a run after first choice first five-eighth Nacebe got injured three minutes into the match in Sigatoka.

“I am ready to play and will do my utmost best,” he said.

“I was told to join the squad and would be happy to play at No.10 or fullback.”

The 24-year old also knows the importance of the upcoming match and reminded the Drua to keep their discipline. At one stage the Drua played with 13 men after Eroni Sau and Seru Cavuilati were yellow carded.

“We need to communicate, play by the rules as cards can prove costly for us.”

Seruvakula said Nacebe would be out for a few weeks.

“Nacebe is out for some time but I have Taliga with me, he can step up and can play 10 or 15,” he said.

“This is a great time for Taliga to perform.

Perth Spirit Big Win

Meanwhile, the Perth Spirit scored a bonus win in 61-17 demolition of the Greater Sydney Rams yesterday.

Naqali, Naitasiri native Isi Naisarani played at No. 8 as the defending champions scored nine tries at McGillvray Oval in Perth.

Yasawa native Taqele Naiyaravoro featured for the Rams.

“I think after last week, we sort of let ourselves down,” Spirit skipper Michael Ruru said post-match, referring to his side’s disappointing loss in Canberra.

“We knew we had a big game this week with the Rams, who had been in tip-top form, so we needed a good performance to turn it around.

“We’ve got a good pack with solid names in there, but reputation stands for nothing in this competition and you’ve got to front up day in, day out,” a satisfied Ruru said

Edited by Osea Bola

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