Corey Toole runs with the ball during round one Super Rugby Pacific match between Fijian Drua and ACT Brumbies at HFC Stadium. Photo: Pita Simpson/Getty Images
Two tough matches are in store for the Fijian Drua franchise teams this weekend, as competition in both the Super Rugby Pacific and Super W heats up.
On Friday night, the Drua men's team will battle the Brumbies at the GIO stadium in Canberra.
That will be followed by the Drua women's team taking on the Brumbies women's in Lautoka on Saturday afternoon.
Both matches will be tough for the teams, who will both be chasing wins to better their chances of qualifying for the finals play-offs.
Mental toughness
The Drua men's the believe tough challenges they have gone through in the past month have elevated their mental toughness.
Head coach Glen Jackson told the media on Tuesday that losing three matches by close margins in the 2025 Super Rugby campaign has been tough on the players.
The experiences they went through on their way to their second round clash against the Hurricanes in Napier last month was another big mental challenge, Jackson said.
However, the players were able to put all that aside to defeat an inform Chiefs outfit in Lautoka last weekend, recording their first win of the season.
At the same time, they handed the Chiefs their first loss in four games and extended their winning run at Churchill Park to seven games since 2023.
Jackson said they have another tough challenge ahead of them, with two games on the go in Australia.
It starts with the rematch against the Brumbies in Canberra tomorrow, with the Brumbies having beaten the side 36-32 in Suva in the opening round.
Then the team will move to Perth on Saturday, where they will prepare to meet the Western Force in round six.
He said they are focused on the Brumbies, leaving the win against the Chiefs behind them.
"The atmosphere hasn't really changed. Funnily enough, I think they realised they left a few points out on the board when they could have won the first three games, but they were playing well in those games," Jackson said.
"I think Frank (Lomani) and Tex (Tevita Ikanivere) are both just around making sure that we understand it's just one win, and we've got a massive game against a pretty confident Brumbies team.
"We just have to make sure that we don't get carried away with a win, because it's a long season and every point is going to matter."
He added that there will be a big squad travelling to cater for the two games they have, and the rotation of players has worked well for them.
"There'll be some more changes again. It's worked well for us, and it's kept everyone excited to perform and train well," he said.
"We've then go from Canberra to Perth, so it's going to be a heck a road trip for us.
"We'll get this game done on Friday night, and then we're off to Perth straight from there on Saturday. So we've got to take a reasonable squad to look after both of those games."
Jackson said he knows the Brumbies will be tough to beat at home, and he expects the hosts to close out the game with their own physical style of play.
Changes continues
Big plus for the side is the return from injury of centre Iosefo Masi and flanker Vilive Miramira.
Jackson has rotated the squad from last week, reshuffling the backrow and the midfield and opting for a 6 - 2 split on the bench.
Masi returns to his favourite outside centre position, pairing Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, who has been doing well too in the number 13 jersey, who has been moved to inside centre.
Following their strong performances against the Chiefs, Jackson has retained his front row of loosehead prop Haereiti Hetet (1), tighthead prop with Mesake Doge (3) and hooker Zuriel Togiatama (2).
He has also retained the lock pairing of Mesake Vocevoce (4) and Isoa Nasilasila (5), plus former captain Meli Derenalagi (6), who will be at blindside flanker.
Former under-20 captain Motikiai Murray (7) will run in at openside flanker with the fier Elia Canakaivata (8) packing in at number eight.
Co captain Frank Lomani gets to lead the side for the second consecutive game at halfback and will pair off again with flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, who had an almost flawless game against the Chiefs.
The Brumbies are brimming with confidence, following a close 21-20 win over the Blues at Eden Park last weekend.
The win was the Brumbies first at Eden Park in 12 years.
Wallabies flyhalf Noah Lolesio will return for the clash against the Drua.
Lolesio last featured in Round One in Suva, where he picked up a concussion.
The playmaker is the lone new face in the 23, with coach Stephen Larkham making two changes to the starting side.
Fijian Drua v Brumbies
Kickoff: 9.35pm NZT Friday 14 March
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Fiji Drua: 1.Haereiti Hetet, 2.Zuriel Togiatama, 3.Mesake Doge, 4.Mesake Vocevoce, 5. Isoa Nasilasila, 6. Meli Derenalagi, 7. Motikiai Murray, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Frank Lomani (cc), 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11. Ponipate Loganimasi, 12. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 13. Iosefo Masi, 14. Selestino Ravutaumada, 15. Vuate Karawalevu; Reserves: 16. Tevita Ikanivere (cc), 17. Emosi Tuqiri, 18. Samu Tawake, 19. Vilive Miramira, 20. Etonia Waqa, 21. Isoa Tuwai, 22. Simione Kuruvoli, 23. Isikeli Rabitu.
Brumbies: 1. James Slipper, 2.Billy Pollard, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4.Nick Frost, 5. Lachlan Shaw, 6. Tom Hooper, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Charlie Cale, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11.Corey Toole, 12. David Feliuai, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15.Tom Wright; Reserves: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Blake Schoupp, 18.Feao Fotuaika, 19. Cadeyrn Neville, 20. Luke Reimer, 21. Harrison Goddard, 22. Declan Meredith, 23. Ollie Sapsford.
Women focused
In Lautoka, the Ifereimi Rawaqa coached Fijiana side will be chasing their second win in the Super W competition, especially after falling to the Reds at Churchill Park last Saturday.
Rawaqa said basic mistakes against the Reds let them down.
He has a strong side to tackle the Brumbies, and made changes to the lineup that started against the Reds and Waratahs in their two matches so far.
"After reviewing the game against the Reds we saw that it was the individual skills and basic mistakes that let us down," he said.
Seventeen year old Carletta Yee will be the youngest Drua player ever to make her debut when she runs out against the Brumbies.
She will make her first appearance, as will Olympics Bronze medallist and former Fijiana 7s captain Rusila Nagasau.
Powerhouse prop Ana Korovata (1) will start at loosehead, with Tiana Robanakadavu (3) at tighthead prop. Last week's try scorer Loraini Senivutu (2) will start at hooker.
Former captain Bitila Tawake will start at number eight.
The Brumbies women have named Fijian Tabua Tuinakauvadra at number eight.
Captain Siokapesi Palu told the media in Canberra this week they expect the Fijians to be a tough team to beat in Lautoka.
"We have seen what they have done and we want to win
Kick-off: 4.35pm NZT Satruday, 15 March
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Drua Women's: 1. Anasimeci Korovata, 2.Loraini Senivutu, 3. Tiana Robanakadavu, 4. Fuga Ofakimalino, 5. Carletta Yee, 6. Rusila Nagasau, 7. Nunia Daunimoala, 8. Bitila Tawake, 9. Setaita Railumu, 10. 10. Salanieta Kinita, 11. Vitalina Naikore (vc), 12. Ema Adivitaloga, 13. Merewairita Neivosa, 14. Repeka Tove, 15. Litiana Vueti; Reserves: 16. Keleni Marawa, 17. Salanieta Nabuli, 18. Vika Matarugu (c), 19. Alfreda Fisher, 20. Karalaini Naisewa, 21. Kolora Lomani, 22. Josivini Naihamu, 23. Luisa Tisolo.
Brumbies Women's: 1. Martha Fua, 2. Katalina Amosa, 3. Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele, 4. Ashley Fernandez, 5. Easter Savelio, 6. Siokapesi Palu (c), 7. Chioma Enyi, 8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra, 9. Ella Ryan, 10. Faitala Moleka, 11. Biola Dawa, 12. Merania Paraone, 13. Gabrielle Petersen, 14. Ashlea Bishop, 15. Tia Hinds; Reserves: 16. Ella Hopper, 17. Iroha Kishimoto, 18. Hannah Stewart, 19. Ana-lise Sio, 20. Edwina Munns-Cook, 21.Lily Bone, 22. Jay Huriwai, 23. Manua Moleka.
