Mick Byrne makes move

Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has been working on his squad for the upcoming Nations Championship.

Byrne was in Nadi yesterday meeting up with Drua senior players of co-captains Frank Lomani, Temo Mayanavanua and Mesake Doge.

Lomani and Doge have been named in the starting line-up to face the Blues in Saturday night’s Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific clash at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.

Drua head coach Glen Jackson is the starting line-up has opted to keep the same forwards from the Reds clash with a few changes in the backline.

Iosefo Namoce makes his first start at second five-eighth, Kemu Valetini moves in for Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula for is on the bench. Epeli Momo starts on the wing ahead of Joji Nasova, who is rested in this encounter.

Veteran hooker Mesulame Dolokoto is back from injury and is on the bench along with lock Joseva Tamani. Peni Ravai is moved to tighthead prop while Emosi Tuqiri gets back to the Match 23 squad. Former French international Virimi Vakatawa is also on the bench.

The match kicks-off at 6.05pm.

LINE-UPS

Drua:

1. Haereiti Hetet, 2. Zuriel Togiatama, 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Mesake Vocevoce, 6. Etonia Waqa, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Frank Lomani (c), 10. Kemu Valetini, 11. Ponipate Loganimasi, 12. Iosefo Namoce, 13. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 14. Epeli Momo, 15. Ilaisa Droasese.

Replacements:

16. Mesulame Dolokolo, 17. Emosi Tuqiri, 18. Peni Ravai, 19. Joseva Tamani, 20. Isoa Tuwai, 21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 23. Virimi Vakatawa

Blues:

1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Josh Beehre, 5. Sam Darry (c), 6. Torian Barnes, 7. Anton Segner, 8. Malachi Wrampling, 9. Taufa Funaki, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Pita Akhi, 13. AJ Lam, 14. Cole Forbes, 15. Payton Spencer.

Replacements:

16. James Mullan, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Sam Matenga, 19. Che Clark, 20. Jed Melvin, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Xaci Taele, 23. Codemeru Vai.

Match officials

Referee: Reuben Keane; Assistant Referees: Nic Berry, Jordan Way; TMO: Brett Cronin.