Isoa Nasilasila to Start Against Blues

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua lock Isoa Nasilasila wants to repeat his 100 per cent appearance in last season’s Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition.

The Vuda native played in all of the Drua matches and also for the Flying Fijians at the Rugby World Cup in France last year.

“It is about motivating me to enhance the opportunity given as the driving factor basically,” Nasilasila told SUNsports yesterday.

“About five years ago probably I did not see myself in Super Rugby but now it is the fact to be here and make the most of it."

"It will be a good season as they have stuff into it, since last year."

"We have lots of young people come through and gelling well with the rest.

"I hope we will hit the top four finish.”

The 24-year-old who was also named the 2023 Drua Players’ Player of the Year added that their pre-season game against the Melbourne Rebels, which they lost the plot in the second half was a telling factor.

“Keep the consistency rather than falling off in the end,” said Nasilasila.

The Drua in partnership with Punjas hosted the Anchor Breakfast Club at the Ba Provincial Freebird Institute in Saru, Lautoka yesterday.

Meanwhile, Nasilasila partners Leone Rotuisolia at locks in Saturday’s Super Rugby opener.

The squad released by head coach Mick Byrne sees rookie Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula starting at No.10 while at full-back is 19-year-old Isikeli Rabitu.

The Fijians depart for Auckland tomorrow.

The match kicks-off at 3.35pm.

LINE-UP

Drua: 1. Livai Natave, 2. Tevita Ikanivere, 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Leone Rotuisolia, 6. Etonia Waqa, 7. Elia Canakaivata, 8. Meli Derenalagi (c), 9. Frank Lomani, 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11. Selestino Ravutaumada, 12. Apisalome Vota, 13. Iosefo Masi, 14. Epeli Momo, 15. Isikeli Rabitu

Replacements: 16. Mesulame Dolokoto, 17. Emosi Tuqiri, 18. Jone Koroiduadua, 19. Mesake Vocevoce, 20. Vilive Miramira, 21. Peni Matawalu, 22. Kemu Valetini, 23. Tudraki Samusamuvodre

Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu’a, 2. Kurt Eklund, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Sam Darry, 5. Josh Beehre, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali’i (c), 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Stephen Perofeta, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Harry Plummer, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Telea, 15. Zarn Sullivan

Replacements: 16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Jordan Lay, 18. Marcel Renata, 19. Laghlan McWhannell, 20. Adrian Choat, 21. Sam Nock, 22. AJ Lam, 23. Cole Forbes

Match officials

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe;

Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw

Feedback: salote.qalubau@fijisun.com.fj