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WAVE TWO FEATURES FIVE NEW EXCITING SQUAD MEMBERS FOR SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC 2022

  • Another Olympic gold medallist, a returning Flying Fijian, two local stars and a New Zealand NPC premiership winner step onboard the Fijian Drua
  • New Zealand-based star declares eligibility for Fiji
  • 27 more players to be announced in the coming weeks

The Fijian Drua have today announced a further five players who will join the squad for the Club’s debut Super Rugby Season. Stepping onboard the Drua are outstanding 7s forward Ratu Meli Derenalagi, Flying Fijian and former NRC Drua stalwart Serupepeli Vularika, Suva prop Meli Tuni, Namosi flyer Vinaya Habosi, and NPC Premiership winning Tasman Mako forward Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta.

Fijian Drua Interim CEO Brian Thorburn said: “As today’s announcement shows, the drua is definitely picking up wind. Our foundation squad is taking shape quite nicely, and we hope all our fans and stakeholders are just as excited as we are with the new players announced today.”

Thorburn added: “Ratu Meli Derenalagi needs no introduction as a household name in Fiji, a former 7s captain and an Olympic gold medallist. We have no doubt he will thrive as a Super Rugby loose forward under the guidance of Head Coach Mick Byrne and other coaching staff. Namosi winger Vinaya Habosi and Suva prop Meli Tuni have also been justly rewarded for working their way through our domestic and age-grade competitions.”

He stated: “It’s important to note that the Fijian Drua set-up offers a pathway for players progressing from domestic competition to professional rugby, as well as Fijian players wishing to return home. It is especially great to be able to welcome back a Drua original in Seru Vularika. Alongside him, we also warmly welcome New Zealand-based Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta to our vuvale. Cirikidaveta’s inclusion is a nod to his Fijian heritage, and we are both proud and grateful to confirm that he has declared his eligibility for Fiji and the Flying Fijians.”

Fiji Rugby Union General Manager High Performance Unit Simon Raiwalui said each of these five players bring something unique to the Fijian Drua.

“At just 23, Ratu Meli’s contribution to Fijian rugby has already been immense. With his speed and ball handling skills, he adds dynamism to the squad as a backrow forward or as a scrum anchor. His aerial skills make him a decent line-out option as well.”

“We are very pleased to have our international utility Seru Vularika back. He has the ability to play halfback, inside centre, wing or fullback. Seru is creative, has a good kicking game, defends aggressively and makes the gain line in any position he plays, offering excellent options to the coaching staff.”

“Young Meli Tuni is 21 years of age but has already been around the blocks – with Suva in the domestic competition, Fiji U-20s and the Fijian Warriors. Likewise, Vinaya Habosi, also just 21, has already been a part of the wider Fijian 7s and Flying Fijians squads. He follows in the fine tradition of talented Fijian wingers who know their way to the tryline. Both Meli and Vinaya have earned their place in the Fijian Drua squad.”

“It is an honour and a remarkable accomplishment for us to have Te Ahiwaru declare his eligibility for the Flying Fijians and join the Fijian Drua for Super Rugby. He is a powerhouse forward, aggressive in both attack and defence, and is just as effective at lock as he is in the backrow. We will benefit from his experience over a number of seasons with Tasman Mako, which includes back-to-back NPC Premiership wins. As a professional coming through an elite New Zealand pathway right from high school, Te Ahiwaru has a lot of offer especially to the younger members in our squad.”

Ten players in the Fijian Drua 2022 Super Rugby Pacific squad have now been announced, and a further 27 expected to be revealed in the coming days and weeks.

PLAYER PROFILES

Name: Meli Derenalagi

Fijian Drua Number: 6

Age: 23

Position: Backrow

Provincial Team: Nadi 

 

Playing Record

  • 2018: Fiji Under 20 [4 caps]
  • 2019/2020: Fijian 7s [86 caps, 22 tries]
  • 2021: Tokyo Olympics [6 caps]

 

  • Achievements
  • 2018/2019 – World Rugby Sevens Series Winner
  • 2018/2019 – World Rugby Rookie of the year
  • 2018/2019 – Fijian 7s Captain
  • 2018 – Commonwealth Silver Medallist

 

World Rugby Sevens Highlights: https://www.world.rugby/video/554354  

 

************************************************

Name: Serupepeli Vularika

Fijian Drua Number: 7

Age: 29

Position: Halfback, inside centre, wing, fullback

Provincial Team: Suva

 

Playing Record

 

  • 2016/2020 Flying Fijians [12 caps]
  • 2018/2019 Fijian Drua [14 caps]
  • 2015/2018 Fijian Warriors [12 caps]

 

Achievements

 

  • 2019: Part of the Flying Fijians extended squad for Rugby World Cup
  • 2015/2018: Won four consecutive Pacific Nations Cup title with Flying Fijians
  • 2018: Won Australia’s National Rugby Championship with Fijian Drua

Watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDhKonzjNcQ

 

********************************************

 

Name: Meli Tuni

Fijian Drua Number: 8

Age: 21

Position: Loosehead Prop

Provincial Team: Suva

 

Playing Record

 

  • 2019: Fijian Under 20 [3 caps]
  • 2020: Fijian Warriors [2 caps]

 

 

Achievements

 

  • 2020: Part of the World Rugby Pacific Combine Team
  • 2020: Won Fiji Rugby Skipper Cup with Suva
  • 2019: Represented Fijian Under-20 at the World Rugby Junior Championship
  • 2019: Won Deans Trophy with Ratu Kadavulevu School

 

 

********************************************

 

Name: Vinaya Habosi

Fijian Drua Number: 9

Age: 21

Position: Inside Centre, Outside Centre, Wing, Fullback

Provincial Team: Namosi

 

Playing Record

 

  • 2020: Fijian 7s Team
  • 2021: Flying Fijians

 

Achievements

 

  • 2020/2021 Part of the extended Fijian 7s squad preparing for Olympic Games
  • 2021: Part of the Flying Fijians extended squad for two test matches against All Blacks
  • 2020: INNK Farebrother Trophy holder with Namosi
  • 2019: Under-19 Skipper Cup champions with Nadroga

 

*Vinaya is the brother of Aporosa Tadulala who represented the NRC Fijian Drua when they won the Championship in 2018.

 

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptoZtUZ2CUU

 

 

*************************************************

 

Name: Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta 

Fijian Drua Number: 10

Age: 23 

Position: Lock, Blindside Flanker

Team: Tasman Mako

Playing Record

  • 2017/2021: Tasman Mako [24 caps]
  • 2016: New Zealand Maori Development Team
  • 2016: Hurricanes U18 Extended squad

 

Achievements

  • 2020: Played a vital role for Tasman Mako in the seaon as they went on to win their second NPC title in New Zealand.
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