Winger Droasese, Veitokani In Drua Camp

Former Queensland Reds winger Ilaisa Droasese has joined the Swire Shipping Fi­jian Drua squad.

The winger signed on with the Fi­jian Drua after being released by the Reds.

The 22-year was part of the Fiji Schoolboys and Fiji U20s teams before moving to Australia to join Brisbane City in the former NRC in 2019 and featured for the Reds in Super Rugby 2021.

Fijian Drua CEO Brian Thorburn welcomed the young winger into the squad: “We’re very excited to have Ilaisa Droasese on board.

“We’re past the halfway mark of our maiden Super Rugby journey; injuries and workload manage­ment are well and truly in play so to be able to sign another young Fijian talent as soon as he was available is great,” he said.

“He is also a Fiji Rugby pathway product from the Deans competi­tion to the Fiji U20s, which speaks volumes of the strength of Fiji Rug­by Union’s domestic programme.”

Thorburn said Droasese’s experi­ence within the Reds strong rugby programme in 2021 would be handy.

“We have no doubt that Ilaisa would be an asset to the Fijian Drua, having played alongside some of Australia’s best Super Rug­by players in that excellent Reds en­vironment.

“We look forward to him challeng­ing for a place in the match day 23 when he settles in and adding to the one Super Rugby try he already has.”

Droasese is a former Cuvu College student, featuring for the Nadroga school in the Deans Trophy compe­tition in 2017 and 2018. He played for Fiji in the 2019 World Rugby U20 Championship alongside current Swire Shipping Fijian Drua players Meli Tuni, Tevita Ikanivere, Isoa Nasilasila, Chris Minimbi, Vilive Miramira, Simione Kuruvoli, Josh Vuta and Caleb Muntz.

Droasese has also played for Queensland Country U19s before joining Brisbane City in the former NRC competition.

Meanwhile, former NRC breakout star Alivereti Veitokani has now also joined the Swire Shipping Fi­jian Drua squad.

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