The ACT Brumbies are coming on a mission in their Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific opener against the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium on February 15.

During the Super Rugby launch in Sydney on Wednesday, Brumbies strongman Rob Valetini said they are aware that no Australian teams have won on Fijian soil.

The Brumbies, he said, are very much aware of that and are not going to take the Drua lightly.

Valetini admitted that 2025 is the year the Brumbies must make their move if they wish to claim the Super Rugby Pacific title.

The past two years the Brumbies fell short in the semi-finals.

“It’s been our goal this year to take one more step (and claim the title),” he told reporters in Little Bay.

For that to happen, Valetini said, they must beat the Drua in Suva.

He highlighted that now with 11 teams participating compared to 12 last year, the new format means it’s important for all teams to win their first match or it would affect them in the business end of the competition.

“Only six teams can make the finals and I think probably one of my biggest games will come in round one in Fiji,” he told rugby.com.au.

“I don’t think any Australia teams have won over there. Obviously it’s going to be a big challenge for us as a team but an exciting challenge as well for the boys. You can’t take any team lightly, especially knowing that (first) round could cost us towards the back end.”

Valetini said the Brumbies are embracing the challenge of facing the Drua in Suva, one of the few teams yet to play in Fiji.

“The boys have been working pretty hard and if the trial is anything to go off. I was really impressed with a lot of the boys efforts and a lot of the new boys that came into our team,” he added.

Meanwhile, Drua co-captain Tevita Ikanivere has urged rugby fans to buy their tickets early and to be at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium to support them in their clash against the Brumbies.

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj