The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will look to name a strong squad for the 2025 Shop N Save Super Rugby competition.

Forwards coach Chris Gibbes revealed that the team has identified two positions they will need to bolster for the new season.

They are No.6 and No.8.

Gibbes is not looking at reshuffling the positions where Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta also known as ‘Big T’, to either play at No.6 or 8 as the way to go but he has another arsenal for that spot.

“We probably won’t look at that, but we have to be agile in this competition,” he said.

The team welcomed back the services of robust flanker Joseva Tamani after his short stint with French club, Colomiers.

The 27-year old is dubbed as a good signing and tipped to play in one of those two positions.

Tamani, who made 13 appearances for the Fijian Drua in the 2022 season, has been labelled as an agile and fast loose forward, known for picking up any loose ball in general play and striding away to the tryline.

Gibbes added young Fijian Drua development Isoa Tuwai can also lift the positional plays in those two numbers.

Tuwai, who plays for Suva Rugby in the Skipper Competition and Farebrother, has caught the eyes of rugby enthusiasts.

The Ba lad with ancestral ties to Tokatoka in Tailevu, Tuwai’s journey was far from ordinary as he transitioned from inside centre to flanker along the years.

“Well, we’ve recruited Tamani back in and young Tuwai has come through the academy and they are pretty good players,” he said.

“At the moment, the good thing about players is that they can play multiple positions.

“We’ll be looking at Tamani to fill those spots and just bolster up what we’ve got there and then,” Gibbes added.

The team will look to work continuously hard after reaching the Shop N Save Super Rugby quarterfinals for 2 consecutive years.

The side is expected to name a strong side to compete at the upcoming McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens in Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka on January 16-18 next year.

Hopeful youngsters who would love to make the cut for the Drua 7s are:

„ Isikeli Rabitu,
„ Philip Baselala,
„ Aisea Nawai,
„ Simeli Tuiteci,
„ Maika Tuitubou,
„ Breyton Legge,
„ Isikeli Basiyalo,
„ and Jack Volavola to name a few.

The Drua will compete against Seattle Barbarians, Mike Friday’s Select 7s, Sa-moa, Australian Select, All Blacks 7s, Fiji 7s in the rugby fiesta.

The Drua are taking a break, spending time with family and friends and will hit the mill once again after the New Year.

Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj