The success of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition will spark this year’s Skipper Cup competition when it gets underway on July 8.

Defending Skipper Cup champions Nadi, has seen the return of former Flying Fijian flanker Semi Kunatani, Savenaca Rawaca, Vatemo Ravouvou and Kitione Taliga into their extended squad.

Kunatani scored twice in Nadi’s 21-0 win over Nadroga in last Friday night’s warm-up match.

The tough loose forward with Rawaca, Ravouvou and Taliga were members of the Fiji men’s rugby sevens team that won the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil. Taliga was a member of the Drua side before his contract expired at the end of this season and is not renewed.

Nadi Rugby Union president Mataiasi Nabau told SUNsports yesterday that there is a fierce competition among the players on who makes the 30-member squad.

“Competition is really tough right now,” he said.

“We have Kunatani, Rawaca, Vatemo and Taliga to name a few but their big names will not automatically earn them a spot in the 30-member squad.

“Performance is what required from each of the players. There is no favouritism in the team, you do the hard yards, that’s what counts, and the boys knows it very well.”

Nabau added that the side is working on a number of strategies for the season.

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 Story by: Waisea Nasokia – waisean@fijisun.com.fj