50th game for Togiatama

Livewire hooker Zuriel Togiatama is in line to play his 50th Fijian Drua game when they face Queensland Reds at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, tomorrow night.

Drua head coach Glen Jackson said milestone games are always special for the group.

“It’s good when we get milestones,” he said.

“The boys love to step-up for their fellow players when they’re reaching such a great landmark.”

Togiatama marked his last outing against the Western Force with a try, which Jackson said was well received within the squad.

“The boys were giving him a bit of stick about that. It’s long time coming, especially for hookers. He was smiling so much I thought he was going to drop it. He was just so happy to get over the line,” Jackson said.

The wily coach said the Reds pose a different challenge compared to most teams.

“Their forwards are probably a bit different to most teams — not a massive pack, but very skillful and classy in the way they play,” he said.

He said the Drua would look to match that with mobile loose forwards like Kitione Salawa, Vilive Miramira and Elia Canakaivata.

“They’re all in very good form, and hopefully we can get that front football,” Jackson said.

“We’ve tried to match that with our backline as well— we’ve got three playmakers in Kemu Valetini, Isikeli Rabitu and Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula at fullback. It’s about trying to run the ball.”

Jackson said the squad remains positive despite missing the play-offs ahead of the final round of the regular season.

“They got together on Monday in a players’ meeting to talk about the importance of finishing well. We’re not going to make the playoffs, but finishing with a win is what people remember.”

He said while the season has been disappointing in terms of results, there is pride in the effort shown.

“We’ve had a good year in terms of effort, but it’s disappointing to finish second last with five wins, like a few other teams,” Jackson said.

“That’s the reality, but they deserve to go out on a high. It would be great to finish with a historic win at a special ground in Brisbane.”

Line-up

Drua- 1. Meli Tuni, 2.Zuriel Togiatama, 3. Samuela Tawake, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5.Temo Mayanavanua (c), 6. Vilive Miramira, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 10. Kemu Valetini, 11. Taniela Rakuro, 12. Isikeli Rabitu, 13. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 14. Manasa Mataele, 15. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula

Replacements- 16. Sairusi Ravudi, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Mesake Doge, 19. Joseva Tamani, 20. Etonia Waqa, 21. Isoa Tuwai, 22. Simione Kuruvoli, 23. Virimi Vakatawa.