In the match of the round, the Fijian Drua host the Perth Spirit in the former’s second home game of the season. The Roar will keep you informed and up to date, with a game preview and live scores from 3pm (AEST).
With both teams locked at the top of the NRC ladder, with two wins and one loss, predicting a winner is a challange.
The Drua played their first home game against the NSW Country Eagles last week, their running rugby and support play in ideal conditions leading to five tries being scored.
Halfback Frank Lomani gave good service to his flyhalf and ball runners and generally played well for the Drua. In his support play he really excels, scoring two tries by simply backing up his teammates.
The Spirit, on the other hand, sent shockwaves through the competition as they demolished the unbeaten Sydney Rams, 61-17.
Perth have apparently unlocked their premiership-winning form of last year just in time to travel to Fiji and play the most exciting team in the competition.
In particular, Bill Meakes is on the verge of playing in a Wallabies jersey. The hard-running inside centre has had an outstanding start to the NRC, on the back of a solid season with the Western Force, having scored a double as his team steamrolled the Rams.
Prediction
The Drua’s style makes it hard to predict, but the Spirit have the experience and form to record the first ever win in Fiji by a visiting team.
Spirit to win 28-25
Israel
Guest
Well played Drua, keep focused and switched on, it's all about learning and 80 mins Rugby, really impressed with team cohesion and local coaching staff.
Digs
Guest
If ever there was a reason for Australia to ditch super rugby and start a oz / pacific competition with Fiji, Somoa, and Tonga this was it. The Kiwis would follow quick smart with their provincial teams. Discussion about super rugby is redundant. It's a dead competition.
Opiam
Roar Rookie
Couldn't agree with you more. Rugby in Fiji is heavily modelled of the nz provisional style system. Has been that way for a very long time. Change is that Facilities have gradually been getting better and we are now seeing a generation of players who have had access to gyms, coaching clinics, the internet etc. What Australia needs is to build on the NRC. Change won't happen overnight as a whole generation of players have to start doing the basics right. The gap between the 40 or so top players in Australia vs the next tier down is massive.
PeterK
Roar Guru
agree
Rugby Tragic
Guest
The Perth Spirit had 9 players in the starting line up who had last year played Super Rugby against a Fijian side full of amateurs. To me this game highlighted just how poor the skills and professional standards are for Oz rugby (just in case not got that from our abysmal overall Super Rugby record last year), and if anything how Fiji are making a strong case for inclusion in Super Rugby. Personally would rather see a Fiji side in Super Rugby than another Oz side at this point if the sort of rubbish we have to watch from sides with Super Rugby Players plus best of the club competitions.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Mees Erasmus is from the Palmyra Club in Perth.
ScottD
Guest
Great tussle for the first 20 mins but frankly Spirit simply outplayed by the very physical and well organised Drua. Spirit didn't hold on to the ball and too often expected contact and so rushed their ball movement or didn't show the sort of soft hands they did the previous week. Drua were lovely to watch and if they play like that every week must be title favourites.
In Brief
Guest
Thanks, that's good to know
Opiam
Roar Rookie
They are saying it right. There is a silent n in front of the d in the Fijian language. For instance, Nadi where the main airport is is pronounced as Nandi
In Brief
Guest
It was nice to see a team actually tackle with the shoulder - something that Australian players don't appear to be taught at any level.
In Brief
Guest
Can someone confirm if the pronunciation Fijian "'N' Drua" is correct? Or is it just a boganism from the aussie commentators? As it's written 'Drua' I'm struggling to get where the extra 'N' comes from.
Daveski
Guest
Philip was easily the Spirits best. Isi tried hard. The red head prop Erasmus was great in the loose, not so good in the scrums. I think he's a local junior? Agree with someone below that's the worse I've seen Ruru look but the Fiji pack made like really hard. There's some good local talent in the Spirit back three but they had a tough time today. How good was the crowd ?
Aaron
Guest
AS flashy as that was it was Fiji defense that won that game. Very impressive live.
Mat P
Guest
Maybe because it was hard to watch and I'm being overly critical, but I thought Ruru was very poor tonight.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Ruru's pass was quick and accurate and in front of the man, that is a step up in my book. He lacks pace though. I still prefer Stirzaker to be honest but he is another player on the outer, never given a chance.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Not to play 6, however Tui is being looked at for 6 so Phillip can take Tui's lock spot in the squad. As noted in another article there are very few 6's or 8's available. No brumbies , Hardwick from force who is really a 7 so no point, Rebels and Tahs have their players in the squad, reds Korzyck is in the squad and the obvious choice of Higgs is ignored.
Fionn
Guest
Do you think Phillip has the speed to play 6 internationally? He looks quick for a lock in that match. Ruru did what he could, but it was hard for him to shine.
PeterK
Roar Guru
He really improved second half after he got over the shock. I thought Ruru and Phillip played quite well , certainly showed enough to be ahead of Phipps and Mumm 2.0 even though Phillip played 5
Fionn
Guest
Peter, The best thing was that the only 'Aussie' player who really impressed was a Fijian – Naisarani.
PeterK
Roar Guru
men against boys. Exactly what the aust players need to play against to show the step up needed, hard hitting forwards, agile, fast fowards, good ball skills mixed up with a good kicking game. No surprise oz team shown up badly.