Grow And Buy Local Players: Koroiniqaqa

The extension of Fijian Drua selection to overseas based players in New Zealand and Australia has not gone well  with Naitasiri team manager, Maciu Koroiniqaqa.

Koroiniqaqa indicated that it was only fair to select local players who have struggled through domestic rugby championship like the the Skipper Cup and Vanua Championship.

The Fijian Drua has so far named ten players of the targeted 34.

The ten that has been named includes Tokyo gold medallist – Napolioni Bolaca and Meli Derenalagi, utility hooker Tevita Ikanivere, loose forward Nemani Nagusa, Tailevu halfback Simione Kuruvoli and bay of Plenty winger Onisi Ratave, Namosi wing Vinaya Habosi, prop Meli Tuni, utility back Serupepeli Vularika and Tasman Mako forward Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta.

“Fiji’s local rugby union still cannot understand why the sudden change of dropping and changing of local rugby players who have shown and proved to be world class rugby players,” Koroiniqaqa said.

“And have struggled through local domestic competition especially the Skipper Cup have been dropped and replaced by overseas based players – who we have not even known them or even played in the local competition and then went abroad.

“We should be implementing what our government is doing now – Grow local and Buy local Fijian made products.

“Fiji is the only nation in the world which produced players who have gone to international levels within months, not years to be recognised as international level and Super Rugby players,” Koroiniqaqa added.

In a zoom press conference last week, Fiji Rugby Union general manager, Simon Raiwalui indicated that some eligible Fijian players overseas will also be part of the Drua team.

“We are basically limited primarily to the Southern hemisphere, so our targets are Fiji also looking into Australia and New Zealand. “We are recruiting and have a lot of interest.

“One of the interesting things is that players are returning home to play for the Fijian Drua and play for a team representing Fij,” Raiwalui said.

Meanwhile Suva manager, Nemani Tuifagalele has applauded the selection panel.

“We have four Suva players in the team so far, and I think they had done a good job.

“We look forward to see more of our players in the announcements that follows,” he said.

However, a total of 37 players are expected to be part of the side.

The team must assemble into quarantine before October 15 and march into camp by Novermber 1. The Fijian Drua will be based in Australia.

Feedback:  sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj