Players who featured promi­nently during the Skipper Cup Premiership, Vodafone Vanua Challenge and HFC Bank Farebrother are going to be part of the Fiji Airways Fijian Drua squad for the 2018 Australian Na­tional Rugby Championship.

This was the comment of Drua head coach Senirusi Seruvakula while finalising his 33-member squad yesterday.

Speaking to SUNsports he said, the squad is going to be announced today.

Seruvakula confirmed the squad will consist of local-based players and they will march into camp on Thursday to prepare for the opener against Melbourne Rising on Sep­tember 1 at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori.

“There will be a lot of new inclu­sion in the team, a combination of experienced and young players,” he said.

“Heading into the NRC the other six teams will now be aware of what the Fiji Airways Drua side is capable of.

“This is looking back at their per­formance last year and they will come prepared.

“The overseas teams will include a lot of Super Rugby players and the Drua will feature local play­ers.”

Melbourne Rising are expected to field Fijian-born Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete and Sefa Naiva­lu to boost their campaign against the Drua.

FIJIAN DRUA’S NRC FIXTURES

September 1: v Melbourne Rising at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori

September 8: v Brisbane City at Churchill Park, Lautoka

September 15: v Queensland Country at BB Print Stadi­um

September 23: v Sydney at Con­cord Oval

September 29: v NSW Country Eagles at Ratu Cakobau Park, Nau­sori

October 6: v Canberra Vikings at Churchill Park, Lautoka.

October 13: v Western Force at UWA Sports Park

– Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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