Opinion: Drua recruitment must focus on experience

The idea of Fiji having a team in the Super Rugby competition was first mooted during a Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) special general meeting in 2017.

During the presentation, delegates of the affiliated Unions were informed that the franchise club would consist of local-based players while our overseas-based players, who are in the twilight of their rugby career would also be considered for selection.

These overseas-based players would come in to mentor our local-based players, especially when they are playing in a professional environment and the challenges that come with it.

The recent announcement of former Flying Fijians star first five-eighth 10 Ben Volavola joining the Fijian Drua, is no surprise at all.

The 35-year-old is there not only to provide competition but to guide young Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula along with other upcoming No.10s in the development squad.

We saw the value of Volavola’s wealth of experience towards the end of the Super Rugby season when Queensland Reds head coach Les Kiss used him as an impact player by bringing him in during critical moments of the game.

With that sorted out, the departure of locks Isoa Nasilasila and Joseva Tamani will be another concern for the Drua.

Although, the Drua still have Temo Mayanavanua, Vilive Miramira and Mesake Vocevoce around, they still need someone who could provide that much-needed leverage.

One, the Drua management could consider is veteran lock Leone Nakarawa.

At the age of 38, he has been playing in the French Top 14 competition for the past 16 years with 173 matches under his belt.

Nakarawa played for the Fiji men’s rugby 7s team that won the country’s first Olympic Games gold medal in 2016 and has 66 Test caps for the Flying Fijians.

The Tavua-born forward played for Glasgow Warriors when they won the Pro12 title in the 2014-2015 season where he had the Most Offloads of 25 and in 2018 he was named Europe’s Player of the Year.

Nakarawa has been released by French club Castres and is yet to sign with another club.

A one-year contract with the Drua could enable the former Flying Fijians captain to provide the much-needed spark in the forwards.

Also, Nakarawa could assist in rectifying our lineout woes, which has haunted us for the past Super Rugby seasons.

Talking about spark, this was what lacking from the Drua wingers throughout this season.

The absence of block busting wingers like Vinaya Habosi, Onisi Ratave, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Eroni Sau and Selestino Ravutaumada were badly felt.

It was a pity that Ponipate Loganimasi, Isikeli Basiyalo and Epeli Momo did offer much as they were ruled out with injuries while Taniela Rakuro and Joji Nasova were simply not up to par as veteran Manasa Mataele was the only standout performer.

During the later stage of the competition, they had to move halfback Frank Lomani to the wing with the hope that he could ignite something.

Now the Drua management should consider former Flying Fijians winger Filipo Nakosi who also has been released by his French ProD2 club Vannes.

The 34-year-old is the older brother of Josua Tuisova.

Nakosi made his Flying Fijians debut in 2019 when they beat the Maori All Blacks 27-10 in Suva. He later made the Flying Fijians squad to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

The explosive winger played alongside Nakarawa at Castres where he recorded 86 Top 14 matches for the club. The strong running winger could provide that missing link out wide.

Overall, the Drua has had a relatively young side playing in the Super Rugby competition with a few old hands like Lomani, tighthead prop Mesake Doge, former France international Virimi Vakatawa, Mayanavanua and Mataele holding the team together.

The recent inclusion of Volavola and probably Nakarawa or Nakosi could further strengthen the franchise club’s leadership team and bring more stability in terms of decision making on and off the field of play