Fiji Rugby releases Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua extended squad

Fiji Rugby has named the Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua 42-member extended squad that kicks off its preparation for the 2023 Super W Championship on Monday.

FRU Chief Executive John O’Connor said the team consists of local players who have been actively training during the off-season and those who were scouted during the women’s provincial competition last year.

“We have retained 15 local players who were part of the Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua which won the Super W Championship in its inaugural season last year. Nine new players have also made their cut into the extended squad,” said O’Connor.

He added that the players will commence DTE in the respective Fiji Rugby High-Performance Centres {Suva, Sigatoka, and Nadi} from next week on Monday and Tuesday. We are arranging for the girls to undergo medical and fitness tests later in the week.

O’Connor also added that we are now focused on the players involved in our local competitions and will consider opportunities for the overseas-based players in January.

It will be a challenging season for Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua as they will be defending the title and all the Australian clubs will also be eyeing to break Fijiana Drua’s unbeaten run next year.

O’Connor added that the responsibility is on the coaches and players to train and prepare a strong side. We believe that Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua will have an exciting 2023 calendar.

The CEO Fiji Rugby also thanked major sponsor Rooster Chicken and the associated sponsors Fiji Gas, Tropik Wood Industries Limited, and Pacific Aus Sports for believing in women’s rugby and assisting the Fijiana Drua in their bid to defend the Super W title next year.

Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua 42-member squad

PROPS:         

• KARALAINI NAISEWA
• BITILA TAWAKE
• JOMA RUBUTI
• LOSANA RAVOUVOU
• MEREONI VONOSERE
• TIANA ROBANAKADAVU
• MARIA NARARA *

HOOKERS:

• LITIA MARAMA
• KELENI MARAWA
• VIKA MATARUGU
• EMILY TAYLOR *

LOCKS

• DOREEN NAROKETE
• MEREVESI OFAKIMALIMO
• ANA TUIMASI *
• LAISA VOSA *
• NUNIA ULUILAKEBA *
• KARAVAKI LUTUMAIBAU

LOOSIES

• MEREWAI CUMU
• SUSANA RAILUMU
• SALASEINI RAILUMU
• FULORI NAQURA
• MAKERETA TUNIDAU

INSIDE BACKS 

• KOLORA LOMANI
• SETAITA RAILUMU
• RAIJELI ULUINAYAU
• MEREWALESI ROKOUNO
• ANIMEI
• VANI AREI
• LAVENIA TINAI
• VITALINA NAIKORE
• NAOMI RATUDRISI *

OUTSIDE BACKS

• RUSILA NAGASAU
• WAINIKITI VOSADRAU *
• ROELA RADINIYAVUNI
• VIVE SISIKISAWANA
• UNAISI TAGABALE
• SERA BALETINI *
• AKANISI SOQOIWASA
• LAISANA LIKUCEVA
• ADITA MILIANA
• MARIANA TALATOKA
• LOSANA BAINIVALU *

KEY:
* New Players.