Male names 14 debutantes for match V Brumbies
Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua Head Coach Inoke Male has named an exciting squad for the Super W opener against Brumbies at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on Saturday.
14 players out of the 23-member match day squad will make their debut for the Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua.
Hooker Bitila Tawake and Tighthead Prop Joma Rubuti, who is the most capped player in the team will guide the front row. They will master the scrum with Loosehead Prop Ana Korovata who is ready to face her former team.
Asinate Serevi will partner with Jade Coates at locks while Doreen Narokete and Sulita Waisega will be on the flanks.
Karalaini Naisewa will be at number 8. Both Serevi and Waisega had played for Fijiana 15’s but are yet to feature for the Fijiana Drua.
Tailevu halfback Setaita Railumu will have big shoes to fill as she will share the halves combination with Ani Mei at number 10.
Nadroga winger Adita Miliana and former Fijiana 7s speedster Laisani Moceisawana will have a point to prove on their debut this weekend.
Merewai Cumu and Vani Arei will control the play in the midfield while experienced Lavenia Tinai will guide the pack from the fullbacks’ position.
Male has also named an experienced bench with powerful Mereoni Vonosere and Merevesi Ofakimalino in the forward pack while USA-based Alycia Namosimalua in the backs.
Male said with the bunch of talents he has in the group, selecting the final team was a difficult task and with the assistance of his coaching panel, they have managed to name the best available players who are expected to carry Fijiana Drua’s unbeaten run.
“We know the competition will be tough this weekend as all teams will be gunning to win against us.
The experienced girls will have a huge role to play as they need to guide the young players who will feature for the first time against an international team” said Male.
Captain Bitila Tawake said “Our goal is always the same, putting on a good show and a tough game against the Brumbies, especially since we’re defending champions and playing for the first time at our home turf”
Tawake has also called on fans and supporters to come out in numbers for this historical match.
The Fijiana Drua hosts Brumbies at 1:35pm on Saturday.
You can get your tickets from any Jacks of Fiji outlet.
Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua squad V Brumbies
- Joma Rubuti
- Bitila Tawake {C}
- Ana Korovata
- Asinate Serevi
- Jade Coates
- Doreen Narokete
- Sulita Waisega
- Karalaini Naisewa
- Setaita Railumu
- Ani Mei Likuvaqali
- Adita Milinia
- Merewai Cumu
- Vani Arei
- Laisani Moceisawana
- Lavenia Tinai
Reserves
- Litia Marama
- Makereta Tunidau
- Mereoni Vonosere
- Merevesi Ofakimalino
- Nunia Uluikadavu
- Evivi Senikarivi
- Jeniffer Ravutia
- Alycia Namosimalua