Photo: Fijian Drua Media
Both the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika have named their squad for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Drua have four new players in their squad while Moana Pasifika have 20 newly contracted players in their squad of 38.
The Fiji-based franchise has Flying Fijian reps who competed at the Rugby World Cup in France while Moana Pasifika have Samoan and Tongan players who also were in France for the world tournament.
Fijian Drua will face the Blues in Auckland and Moana Pasifika will tackle the Highlanders in Dunedin on 24 February 2024 in their opening matches in the new season.
Aiming for final
Fijian Drua head coach Mick Byrne says the team aims to go past the quarterfinals in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Speaking to the media at the Fijian Drua base in Nadi, Byrne said that is the target they have, following the announcement of the Drua squad.
Byrne said the Drua tested themselves in 2022 before battling to win a quarterfinal spot in 2023.
He said next seasons they want to take another step up and give their fans an opportunity to cheer them on in a home final.
Tela retires
Flying Fijian and Fijian Drua fly-half Teti Tela, who returned from the Rugby World Cup with Fiji, has also announced his retirement from first-class rugby.
Tela was the Drua's leading points scorer, with 124 points, after two seasons where he made 24 appearances.
Chief executive Mark Evans has thanked Tela for his contribution to the Drua and Fiji Rugby and said the player has has left positive impacts on his fellow Drua players and colleagues.
Moana new caps
Moana Pasifika has named 20 new contracted players in their 38-man squad for the Super Rugby Pacific competition in 2024.
The Auckland-based franchise have in their squad 19 players that featured at Rugby World Cup 2023 for Samoa and Tonga plus 11 Super Rugby debutants.
Head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga said they have a lot of talent available and it will be a tough task selecting the team for matches.
New players that have been included in the Moana Pasifika squad include former All Black and Hurricanes winger Julian Savea, former Crusaders flanker Sione Havili Talitui, Manu Samoa prop Jams Lay and 'Ikale Tahi utility Otumaka Mausia.
Fijian Drua squad
Loosehead props: Emosi Tuqiri, Haereiti Hetet, Livai Natave; Hookers: Mesulame Dolokoto, Tevita Ikanivere, Zuriel Togiatama; Tighthead Prop: Jone Koroduadua, Mesake Doge, Samuela Tawale; Utility Prop: Meli Tuni; Locks: Etonia Waqa, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Ratisolia, Sailosi Vukalokalo (new), Te Cirikidaveta; Backrowers: Elia Canakaivata, Kitione Salawa, Meki Derenalagi, Motikai Murray, Vilive Miramira; Halfbacks: Frank Lomani, Peni Matawalu, Philip Baselala, Simione Kuruvoli; First-fives: Kemu Valetini, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula (new), Isikeli Rabitu (new), Caleb Muntz; Centres: Apisalome Vota, Iosefo Masi, Michael Naitokani, Waqa Nalaga (new); Back 3: Ilaisa Droasese, Selesitino Ravutaumada, Taniela Rakuro, Epeli Momo (new); Utility - Tuidraki Samusamuvodre.
Moana Pasifika squad
Forwards: James Lay (new), Abraham Pole, Sateki Latu (new), Samiuela Moli, Sama Malolo (new), Tomasi Maka (new), Donald Brighthouse (new), Sekope Kepu, Suetena Asomua, Samuel Slade, Tom Savage (new), Ofa Tauetavalu (new), Irie Papuni (new), Viliame Napa'a (new), Miracle Faiilagi, Ola Tauelangi (new), Alamanda Motuga, Solomone Funaki, Semisi Paea (new), Sione Havili Talitui (new), Lotu Inisi; Backs: Jonathan Taumateine, Ereatara Enari, Aisea Halo (new), William Havili, Christian Lealiifano, Lalomilo Lalomilo (new), Henry Taefu, D'angelo Leuila, Pepesana Patafilo (new), Fine Inisi, Neria Fomai, Anzelo Tuitavuki, Viliame Fine (new), Nigel Ah Wong, Julian Savea (new), Danny Toala, Otumaka Mausia (new).