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Fijian Drua
24
Match Complete
Highlanders
27
| 62 |  | M. Hunt | ||
| 60 |  | R. Marshall | ||
| 48 |  | M. Hunt | ||
| T. Tela | | 40 | ||
| 32 | | M. Hunt | ||
| 31 | | M. Mikaele-Tu'u | ||
| T. Tela | | 23 | ||
| K. Ravouvou | | 22 | ||
| 19 | | M. Hunt | ||
| T. Tela | | 15 | ||
| V. Habosi | | 14 | ||
| 9 | | M. Hunt | ||
| 7 | | S. Gilbert | ||
| T. Tela | | 3 | ||
| F. Lomani | | 2 |
| 3 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Show Preview
Round 11 of Super Rugby Pacific continues with a very special match as the Fijian Drua host the Highlanders at ANZ Stadium, Suva, Fiji in the Drua’s very first home Super Rugby game. Join The Roar for live scores from 2:35pm AEST.
Although these two sides are currently sitting towards the bottom of the competition ladder, this match has plenty of significance for several reasons.
For Highlanders coach Tony Brown this is his 100th game as a coach of the side to go with his 97 caps as a player. Kiwi hooker Andrew Makalio will pick up his 50th Super Rugby cap when he takes the field on Saturday.
All of this combined with the fact that the Highlanders desperately need a win should be all the motivation that they need. Skipper Aaron Smith is back in the side while there is a new look back row for the Highlanders with Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Christian Lio-Willie and Billy Harmon joining forces for the first time.
The Drua will be so full of excitement that their challenge will be ensuring they bring some calmness to their play in front of a home crowd. Crucial to this effort will be scrum half Frank Lomani and Teti Tela at fly half. They will feel the urge to run and attack from everywhere but a smart game plan that forces the Highlanders back into their own half will be important in the opening 20 minutes.
When they do have the ball the powerful centre combination of Kalaveti Ravouvou and Apisalome Vota will be used a lot to get the Drua over the gain line. The pairing haven’t played together this season as much as coach Mick Byrne would have liked but having them back for this home game will be a big plus for Byrne’s side.
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Suva, Fiji
Kick-off: 2:35pm (AEST)
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Drua $4.20, Highlanders $1.22 – odds via PlayUp
Drua (1-15): 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.
Highlanders (1-15): Daniel Lienert Brown, Andrew Makalio, Jermaine Ainsley, Bryna Evans, Sam Caird, Christian Lio-Willie, Billy Harmon, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Aaron Smith (c), Mitch Hunt, Scott Gregory, Fetuli Paea, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Sam Gilbert, Connor Garden-Bachop.
Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Ethan de Groot, Josh Hohneck, Max Hicks, James Jentjes, Folau Fakatava, Marty Banks, Hugh Renton.
Hide Preview
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.