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    Drua v Highlanders

    Rugby Matches
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    • Duluth
      Duluth last edited by

      Apr 25, 2022

      Highlanders bolster team for Fijian Drua game

      Highlanders bolster team for Fijian Drua game

      The Highlanders will get some handy reinforcements as they seek to rescue a disappointing season. Captain Aaron Smith and No8 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u...

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • KiwiMurph
        KiwiMurph last edited by

        Looks like ticket sales are sluggish.

        https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/128453858/super-rugby-pacific-drua-boss-hopes-for-late-rush-as-ticket-sales-for-highlanders-game-in-fiji-prove-sluggish

        S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
        • S
          SouthernMann @KiwiMurph last edited by

          @KiwiMurph said in Drua v Highlanders:

          Looks like ticket sales are sluggish.

          https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/128453858/super-rugby-pacific-drua-boss-hopes-for-late-rush-as-ticket-sales-for-highlanders-game-in-fiji-prove-sluggish

          Haven't they had issues in the past where they tried to charge NZ/Aus prices in the islands.

          Duluth 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
          • Duluth
            Duluth @SouthernMann last edited by Duluth

            @SouthernMann said in Drua v Highlanders:

            Haven't they had issues in the past where they tried to charge NZ/Aus prices in the islands.

            The Blues in Apia definitely made that mistake. I'm not sure if there's been an issue in Suva with that

            That article was a bit strange. The comments in the article suggest that the sales are following the same pattern as previous games in Suva that were nearly sold out

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • Kiwiwomble
              Kiwiwomble last edited by

              alt text

              apart from gregory on the wing pretty much full strength i think

              FakatavaAllBlack 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
              • Duluth
                Duluth last edited by

                The team for round 11 includes the return of Aaron Smith who will Captain the side after being unavailable for selection in round 10. A new look loose forward trio sees Marino Mikaele-Tu’u back at number 8 and after a barnstorming performance last weekend, Christian Lio-Willie, earns a start in the number 6 jersey with Billy Harmon completing the trio at 7. Gareth Evans has returned to Dunedin after receiving an injury against the Brumbies in Melbourne.
                
                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                • A
                  African Monkey last edited by

                  Drua for the upset?

                  Kiwiwomble 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • Kiwiwomble
                    Kiwiwomble @African Monkey last edited by

                    @African-Monkey not even sure it would be an upset, we're playing pretty poorly

                    Duluth 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                    • Duluth
                      Duluth @Kiwiwomble last edited by

                      @Kiwiwomble

                      Drua are paying $4.20 at the tab

                      Kiwiwomble 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                      • Kiwiwomble
                        Kiwiwomble @Duluth last edited by

                        @Duluth if i wasn't too loyal i'd snap that up

                        Smudge 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • Smudge
                          Smudge @Kiwiwomble last edited by

                          @Kiwiwomble said in Drua v Highlanders:

                          @Duluth if i wasn't too loyal i'd snap that up

                          No interest in an insurance bet? I'll probably put some cash on the Drua in case the Highlanders lose.

                          Kiwiwomble 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                          • Kiwiwomble
                            Kiwiwomble @Smudge last edited by

                            @Smudge look...it has crossed my mind

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                            • FakatavaAllBlack
                              FakatavaAllBlack @Kiwiwomble last edited by

                              @Kiwiwomble I like that loose forward trio, can't help but think Vilimoni koroi should maybe head to Moana if he's not wanted? watching him play npc & 7's over the years i tipped him to be a Tim Nanai Williams sorta player at super but was obviously way off

                              Kiwiwomble Stargazer 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
                              • Kiwiwomble
                                Kiwiwomble @FakatavaAllBlack last edited by Kiwiwomble

                                @FakatavaFuture said in Drua v Highlanders:

                                @Kiwiwomble I like that loose forward trio, can't help but think Vilimoni koroi should maybe head to Moana if he's not wanted? watching him play npc & 7's over the years i tipped him to be a Tim Nanai Williams sorta player at super but was obviously way off

                                even if we had 2015/16 "mr reliable" banks....i think if its coming off the bench i would rather someone like koroi, more exciting and more versatile, like banks starts or not at all

                                FakatavaAllBlack 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                • Stargazer
                                  Stargazer @FakatavaAllBlack last edited by

                                  @FakatavaFuture said in Drua v Highlanders:

                                  @Kiwiwomble I like that loose forward trio, can't help but think Vilimoni koroi should maybe head to Moana if he's not wanted? watching him play npc & 7's over the years i tipped him to be a Tim Nanai Williams sorta player at super but was obviously way off

                                  The Samoan and Tongan Unions already had trouble accepting the signing of McClutchie (who's only been signed for one season). I doubt they'd want to sign another player who's not eligible for one of the Island nations.

                                  Fijian Drua makes more sense, considering he's Fijian.

                                  Nepia 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • FakatavaAllBlack
                                    FakatavaAllBlack @Kiwiwomble last edited by

                                    @Kiwiwomble judging by his Instagram stories he's back in Dunedin with Frizell, so he didn't even get to make the trip to his parents motherland

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • Stargazer
                                      Stargazer last edited by

                                      From the Highlanders' media release:

                                      The team will have extra motivation to achieve with this weekend’s game being Tony Brown’s 100th involved with the Highlander’s coaching team, a feat that he fell just shy of as a player (97 caps from 2016-11) and brings his cumulative coaching and playing total to 197 games. Alongside this, it is also Andrew Makalio’s 50th Super Rugby game. Andrew made his debut for the Highlanders this season after playing 43 games for the Crusaders between 2017 and 2021.

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                      • Nepia
                                        Nepia @Stargazer last edited by

                                        @Stargazer said in Drua v Highlanders:

                                        @FakatavaFuture said in Drua v Highlanders:

                                        @Kiwiwomble I like that loose forward trio, can't help but think Vilimoni koroi should maybe head to Moana if he's not wanted? watching him play npc & 7's over the years i tipped him to be a Tim Nanai Williams sorta player at super but was obviously way off

                                        The Samoan and Tongan Unions already had trouble accepting the signing of McClutchie (who's only been signed for one season). I doubt they'd want to sign another player who's not eligible for one of the Island nations.

                                        Fijian Drua makes more sense, considering he's Fijian.

                                        Don’t MP have a Fijian player currently?

                                        I thought that Fiji was one of the Pacific nations that make up he general Moana?

                                        Dan54 Stargazer 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                        • Duluth
                                          Duluth last edited by

                                          TEAM LIST: ROUND 11 VS HIGHLANDERS | Fijian Drua Rugby

                                          TEAM LIST: ROUND 11 VS HIGHLANDERS | Fijian Drua Rugby

                                          Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Head Coach Mick Byrne has announced his line-up for the historic first homecoming match at ANZ Stadium Suva.

                                          Haereiti Hetet, Mesu Dolokoto, Manasa Saulo, Isoa Nasilasila, Ratu Rotuisolia, Meli Derenalagi (c), Vilive Miramora, Te Ahiwaru Cirikdaveta, Frank Lomani, Teli Tela, Vinaya Habosi, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Apisalome Vota, Selestino Ravutaumada, Kitione Taliga

                                          Reserves: Tevita Ikanivere, Meli Tuni, Samu Tawake, Villiame Rarasea, Joseva Tamani, Simione Kuruvoli, Onisi Ratave, Kitione Ratu

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • Bovidae
                                            Bovidae last edited by

                                            How many changes from the Drua team that played the Blues? I know that Hetet wasn't involved.

                                            Daffy Jaffy 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                            • Dan54
                                              Dan54 @Nepia last edited by

                                              @Nepia said in Drua v Highlanders:

                                              @Stargazer said in Drua v Highlanders:

                                              @FakatavaFuture said in Drua v Highlanders:

                                              @Kiwiwomble I like that loose forward trio, can't help but think Vilimoni koroi should maybe head to Moana if he's not wanted? watching him play npc & 7's over the years i tipped him to be a Tim Nanai Williams sorta player at super but was obviously way off

                                              The Samoan and Tongan Unions already had trouble accepting the signing of McClutchie (who's only been signed for one season). I doubt they'd want to sign another player who's not eligible for one of the Island nations.

                                              Fijian Drua makes more sense, considering he's Fijian.

                                              Don’t MP have a Fijian player currently?

                                              I thought that Fiji was one of the Pacific nations that make up he general Moana?

                                              Yep MP do have a Fijian eligible player. There not a strict rule on who makes them up.

                                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                              • Stargazer
                                                Stargazer @Nepia last edited by

                                                @Nepia said in Drua v Highlanders:

                                                @Stargazer said in Drua v Highlanders:

                                                @FakatavaFuture said in Drua v Highlanders:

                                                @Kiwiwomble I like that loose forward trio, can't help but think Vilimoni koroi should maybe head to Moana if he's not wanted? watching him play npc & 7's over the years i tipped him to be a Tim Nanai Williams sorta player at super but was obviously way off

                                                The Samoan and Tongan Unions already had trouble accepting the signing of McClutchie (who's only been signed for one season). I doubt they'd want to sign another player who's not eligible for one of the Island nations.

                                                Fijian Drua makes more sense, considering he's Fijian.

                                                Don’t MP have a Fijian player currently?

                                                I thought that Fiji was one of the Pacific nations that make up he general Moana?

                                                My point was, the Samoan and Tongan Unions seem to have a problem with signing players that are not eligible for one of the Island Nations. The Drua have never openly made a point of it; they signed Kerr after all. Koroi is, just like McClutchie, not eligible for any other country than NZ (at the moment; until Koroi's 3 years' stand-down is up).

                                                Nepia 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                • Nepia
                                                  Nepia @Stargazer last edited by

                                                  @Stargazer said in Drua v Highlanders:

                                                  @Nepia said in Drua v Highlanders:

                                                  @Stargazer said in Drua v Highlanders:

                                                  @FakatavaFuture said in Drua v Highlanders:

                                                  @Kiwiwomble I like that loose forward trio, can't help but think Vilimoni koroi should maybe head to Moana if he's not wanted? watching him play npc & 7's over the years i tipped him to be a Tim Nanai Williams sorta player at super but was obviously way off

                                                  The Samoan and Tongan Unions already had trouble accepting the signing of McClutchie (who's only been signed for one season). I doubt they'd want to sign another player who's not eligible for one of the Island nations.

                                                  Fijian Drua makes more sense, considering he's Fijian.

                                                  Don’t MP have a Fijian player currently?

                                                  I thought that Fiji was one of the Pacific nations that make up he general Moana?

                                                  My point was, the Samoan and Tongan Unions seem to have a problem with signing players that are not eligible for one of the Island Nations. The Drua have never openly made a point of it; they signed Kerr after all. Koroi is, just like McClutchie, not eligible for any other country than NZ (at the moment; until Koroi's 3 years' stand-down is up).

                                                  MP have selected non eligible for the islands players in this years squad, have they not? I assume Kepu and Lealiifano are currently still only Australia eligible? I assume Visinia is still only NZ eligible? Wiki says Koloamatangi is a Hong Kong player.

                                                  I think that even though Samoa and Tonga are the main two unions (outside of NZ) involved the team is expected to be a broad Pacific team and this includes Fiji.

                                                  Dan54 Stargazer 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                                  • Dan54
                                                    Dan54 @Nepia last edited by

                                                    @Nepia Lincoln McCluthie is not eligible for Islands either. though Kefu and Lailiafano are as they haven't played for Aus for 3 years. MP was formed with the idea that up tp 5-6 non eligible players could be comtracted.

                                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                    • Stargazer
                                                      Stargazer @Nepia last edited by

                                                      @Nepia

                                                      Sekope Kepu becomes eligible - thanks to the eligibility rule change - for Tonga on 11 October, this year.
                                                      Christian Leali'ifano becomes eligible for Samoa on 19 October, this year.

                                                      Lolagi Visinia is already eligible for Samoa. He last played for NZ in 2013.

                                                      Tonga are contesting Tau Koloamatangi's ineligibility because they allege that he was ineligible to play for Hong Kong when he did and they are probably right (it seems he played for Hong Kong before he had met the 3-year residency requirement). I have not seen a decision from World Rugby in his case.

                                                      @Dan54 I already mentioned McClutchie and that the Samoan and Tongan Unions were not happy about his signing because of his ineligibility for the Islands. They reluctantly accepted it because of the problems MP had with recruiting because the licence was granted so late and Covid. That's something that won't be an "excuse" for 2023 signings.

                                                      The whole question is whether they'll accept more signings of players who are ineligible.

                                                      I think Koroi may become eligible for Fiji in 2023, so maybe they'll see his case as similar to Kepu and Leali'ifano.

                                                      Bovidae Dan54 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                      • Bovidae
                                                        Bovidae @Stargazer last edited by

                                                        @Stargazer said in Drua v Highlanders:

                                                        I think Koroi may become eligible for Fiji in 2023

                                                        Is that based on his last game for the NZ sevens team?

                                                        Stargazer 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                        • Stargazer
                                                          Stargazer @Bovidae last edited by

                                                          @Bovidae Yep.

                                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                          • Daffy Jaffy
                                                            Daffy Jaffy @Bovidae last edited by

                                                            @Bovidae 9 changes in the starting team. It was very much a B selection that played the Blues.

                                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                            • Dan54
                                                              Dan54 @Stargazer last edited by

                                                              @Stargazer Yep mate, I just know when it was formed they said they were going to allow a certain number of ineligible players to be contracted, may have changed. They have used Joe Royal who is a Maori player etc.

                                                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                              • Duluth
                                                                Duluth last edited by

                                                                Highlanders boss Tony Brown explains positional switches for three key players

                                                                Highlanders boss Tony Brown explains positional switches for three key players

                                                                Highlanders boss Tony Brown believes Thomas Umaga-Jensen's move from No 12 to No 13 may bring the best out of the fringe All Blacks prospect.

                                                                FakatavaAllBlack 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                • FakatavaAllBlack
                                                                  FakatavaAllBlack @Duluth last edited by

                                                                  @Duluth in there it touches on koroi, my query about why koroi hasn't been given a go in Nareki's vacant 11 jersey is answered.. Tony says he's developing him into a first five, guess he'll be able to fully compete with Mitch over the 10 jersey next yr, as for Thomas in the midfield he's been impressive, if he can remain injury free I hope Ian selects him🙂

                                                                  Kiwiwomble 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                  • Kiwiwomble
                                                                    Kiwiwomble @FakatavaAllBlack last edited by

                                                                    @FakatavaFuture yeah, TUJ might not have the pace we'd expect or like to see in a 13 but i did like what he could do with a little more space, he could do some some real damage with a Naholo/osborne/nareki outside him, a real finisher, CGB could have some fun running off his shoulder

                                                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                    • Dan54
                                                                      Dan54 last edited by

                                                                      Anyone else starting to really look forward to this game, I know the forecast is shit, but to see the game in Fiji has me excited.

                                                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                                                      • Duluth
                                                                        Duluth last edited by

                                                                        Sounds like ticket sales followed the same pattern as previous SR games in Suva. Slow early in the week and then a late rush. The Drua have confirmed the game will be broadcast on local tv as tickets sales had gone past 10,000

                                                                        KiwiMurph 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                                                        • chimoaus
                                                                          chimoaus last edited by

                                                                          Fuck this announcer must have loved watching WWF as a kid.

                                                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                          • chimoaus
                                                                            chimoaus last edited by

                                                                            Love the atmosphere, remember when SR was like this.

                                                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                            • KiwiMurph
                                                                              KiwiMurph @Duluth last edited by

                                                                              @Duluth looks a near sellout. Brilliant.

                                                                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 4
                                                                              • chimoaus
                                                                                chimoaus last edited by

                                                                                I haven't heard Greg Clark for awhile in the com box.

                                                                                antipodean 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                                • antipodean
                                                                                  antipodean @chimoaus last edited by

                                                                                  @chimoaus said in Drua v Highlanders:

                                                                                  I haven't heard Greg Clark for awhile in the com box.

                                                                                  Which is a pity - he's one of the better commentators IMO.

                                                                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                                  • chimoaus
                                                                                    chimoaus last edited by

                                                                                    Fuck me what a try from Fiji. Crowd going crazy.

                                                                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
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