The stage is set for Saturday’s Australian National Rugby Championship 2018 opener at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori.

The Melbourne Rising have named a powerful NRC squad and are coming over to avenge last year’s 45-24 loss to the Fiji Airways Fijian Drua at the Harlequins Oval in Melbourne, Australia.

Mebourne Rising under coach Eoin Toolan have roped in Australian Wallaby reps such as Sefa Naivalu, Jack Maddocks and Michael Ruru (who was called into the Wallabies squad during the June Test matches against Ireland).

They are joined by newly- signed star No.8 Isi Naisarani who is set to don the Wallaby jumper in 2019, which is within the World Rugby eligibility laws. Melbourne Rebels (Super Rugby) captain Tom English, former Fijian Warriors fullback Kiti Ratu and talented first five-eighth Kemu Valetini add to the visitors armoury.

This is going to be a big test for our young enterprising Fijian Drua side because it will be without Peceli Nacebe, Samu Saqiwa and Eroni Vasiteri, who were our point scorers during last year’s big win.

It’s going to be much tougher from now on as head coach Senirusi Seruvakula rightly said, that the Fijian Drua is no longer that unknown team in the NRC because the Australians now know what to expect from them.

The Fijian Drua’s battles start this Saturday and the following Saturday (September 8) against Brisbane City at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

And that means it’s important for the Fijian Drua to win both their home games.

This will not only to put them in a better position at the start of the NRC, but it could be crucial when in the business end of the competition, especially when eliminations begin to determine the top four teams to play in the semi-finals.

Members of the Fijian Drua have shed blood, sweat and tears for the past weeks in preparation and they deservedly need all the support they can get in the two opening matches. The onus is again on all Fijians to be there in numbers at the games.

Players in the Fijian Drua are being groomed to be Fiji’s future stars, who will carry our hopes in their challenge against Tier One, Super Rugby and International players.

This speaks volumes of the amount of courage and commitment they must have to do the country proud.

The best way you can repay that is to buy your tickets and be at the grounds to cheer on the Fijian Drua.

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj