Swire Shipping Fijian Drua first five eighth Teti Tela is the go to man against the Western Force this weekend.

Tela lined up against his former teammate and close friend, James O’Connor when they faced the Queensland Reds in the Super Rugby Pacific last week.

“I have learned a lot playing for the Reds in recent years and had known O’Connor since school days in Brisbane; going up against a Wallaby was exciting,” Teti said.

On Saturday he will hold the key on how the Fijian Drua play in the fifth round of the Super Rugby Pacific competition when they host the Western Force at Leichhardt Oval.

Drua is currently on ninth position while the Force is on eighth on the Super Rugby Pacific points table.

The 30-year-old showed maturity and class when they took the Queensland Reds to the wire last Saturday.

He managed our game well against the Reds scoring 13 points from his boots.

Teti made sure the Drua kept ball and possession which got the stats working; it showed that we only kicked 17 times in the entire match.

He called the shots in reshuffling The Drua attacks and defense; his mobility and decision making saw Drua winning more penalties in the game.

The Reds conceded 14 penalties while Drua tallied 10.

There is no doubt against the Force Teti will stand up for the duty yet again.

His precise and courageous decisions to kick for penalties from around the pitch have sent a strong message across the competition. Teti’s done well, his good for the Fijian Drua side, his a greater talker in the field, he organizers the team.

Teta’s involvement in the Super Rugby is the answer to the Flying Fijians hunt for the next number 10.

Ever since 2015, Ben Volavola has been our first choice at No.10 deputised through the years by fellow Tailevu native Alivereti Veitokani, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and recently by Teti Tela.

But building up to the 2023 RWC, we need to have more cover and it’s not too late to blood Olympians like Napolioni Bolaca and Sireli Maqala.

And with Flying Fijians head coach Vern Cotter in New Zealand; he is in good space scouting for players playing in the National Provincial Championship, Super Rugby and Top 14 competitions in France.

If Tela is consistent in the Super Rugby competition then there is no doubt he will be the number one contender for the fly half role in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The Drua who are currently 9th on the Super Rugby Pacific points table will face the Force at 3.35pm tommorow.

In other matches this weekend, Friday: Brumbies take on the Reds at 8.45pm,Saturday: Chiefs meet the Hurricanes at 6.05pm Saturday, the Waratahs play the Rebels at 8.45pm, Crusaders will face the Blues at 2.35pm Sunday.