Nadurutalo Tipped To Face Drua In Opener
Another Fijian rugby league product is expected to make his Super Rugby Pacific debut against the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua in Sydney, Australia, on February 18.
Tuesday 08 February 2022 | 15:00
Luke Nadurutalo in action for Waratahs against Hunter Wildfires in Sydney, Australia, on Feruary 5, 2022. Photo: Rugby Australia
Another Fijian rugby league product is expected to make his Super Rugby Pacific debut against the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua in Sydney, Australia, on February 18.
Former Fiji Prime Minister’s XIII captain Luke Nadurutalo has been contracted by the Waratahs and has featured in their recent friendly matches against the Brumbies and the Hunter Wildfires.
He is expected to form a formidable centre partnership with Wales 94 Test veteran Jamie Roberts, recent Wallabies players Izaia Perese and Lalakai Foketi.
Against the Drua, they are expected to face exciting new players like Onisi Ratave, Apisalome Vota and Kalaveti Ravouvou while Kalione Nasoko is out with an injured knee.
Nadurutalo represented the Fijian Residents and captain the Fijian Nines rugby league side that won the gold medal at the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa.
The strong running centre led the Fijian PM’s XIII that played against a star studded (Australia) PM’s XIII at the ANZ Stadium, Suva in 2019.
Nadurutalo hails from Korolevu, Navosa.
He grew up playing rugby union and represented the Fijian Warriors Sevens team before moving to Auckland and was selected into the New Zealand sevens development squad.
He made the switch to rugby league while moving to Australia in 2014.
Nadurutalo also made the Penrith Panthers side that played in the NSW Cup competition.
Waratahs head coach, Darren Coleman spotted the powerhouse Fijian back playing in the Shute Shield and quickly drafted him into his squad.
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