Coach Byrne Monitors Players

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua utility back Tuidraki Samusamuvodre is in doubt for Saturday’s ShopNSave Super Rugby against Moana Pasifika in Melbourne, Australia.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday, Drua head coach Mick Byrne said everyone returned home in good shape after their 34-10 loss to Blues but Samusamuvodre had his ankle strapped.

He had come in as a substitute during the opening match.

“I’m not sure how he’s (Samusamuvodre) going to be but you know, he came through the game alright, but just seemed to think it might have been the travel back,” Byrne said.

“When you travel back a lot of times in the air for as long as we are now the joints will swell up if there’s a little bit of an injury there.

“When we landed here his ankle was quite swollen, but he can’t remember really doing much in the game. It’s more or less when we got back here so we’ll see how he goes over the next couple of days.”

Mick Byrne. Photo: Leon Lord

However, on a brighter note first choice full-back Ilaisa Droasese and plucky winger Taniela Rakuro are back training.

“They’ve been recovering very well.

“Positive, I think I watched them both run yesterday (Monday) and they’re both very fast men when you watch them run without the ball.

“The pleasing thing for me was when I look at the players coming back from long term injuries especially around the knees.

“Things like that was a deceleration they know they were stopping dead without limping and so they’re now in good shape.”

Byrne indicated they (Droasese and Rakuro) are probably going to be considered within a week or two depending on the rate of their recovery.

Rookies impress

Meanwhile, the wily coach indicated that rookies Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Isikeli Rabitu, Epeli Momo and Mesake Vocevoce have impressed him during their Super Rugby debut.

Byrne said Ravula and Rabitu still qualify to play for the Fiji Under-20 at the upcoming World Rugby U20 Championship.

“I think we saw that they weren’t overawed by the occasion,” he said.

“Certainly they were nervous. They’ve probably played within themselves to be fair But they weren’t overawed by the occasion. They both presented well and they did what they needed to do. And they’ll be better after that.”

Byrne said Momo was good as he showed a little bit on the wing.

“Momo showed he can be a good strong player but he’s also got some very good footwork and speed out on the wing. Vocevoce was great, he’s a young man who hasn’t been playing rugby for a long time.

“He has been an athlete as a 200metre, 400m runner and a soccer player. Not only that he comes from playing rugby league, and to watch him go about in the clinical parts of the game especially his set pieces are pleasing,” added Byrne

“I don’t want to put too much on the young guy but he’s got a good future in the game.”

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