Fiji Drua

The Pacific Super Rugby Round 4 clash will be a test of character for the Drua, who recorded the upset of the season so far with their 25-24 win over the champion Crusaders in Lautoka last weekend.

Head coach Mick Byrne told a media conference at the Drua's camp in Nadi, Fiji this week that the Reds will be very physical.

"They bring a physicality right across the board through the front row, the back row are hard men, and then out into the centres.

It’s a major blow for the side as the Drua is just two weeks away from the first Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific match against Moana Pasifika in Auckland.

The Drua confirmed that Habosi had his contract terminated with immediate effect, due to a high-level breach of the Club’s Code of Conduct.

According to a club statement, the decision was made after careful consideration.

The Fijian Drua says they’ll not comment further on this matter and due process was accorded to Habosi.

Super Rugby has not been the same since COVID-19 tore it apart two years ago, but Australia and New Zealand will hope two new Pasifika teams will give the southern hemisphere competition a new lease of life this season.

Moana Pasifika are in a Queenstown bubble, while Fijian Drua will be camped on the east coast of Australia for Super Rugby Pacific's inaugural season due to logistical challenges brought by the pandemic.

FRU chief executive officer John O'Connor said the whole of Fiji is looking forward to the Drua's inaugural Super Rugby match against the New South Wales Waratahs next Friday.

O'Connor said having a team participate in one of the best rugby competitions in the world was the missing link in their player pathway program.

"The boys have been in camp from November. They have been away from families and I think they are quite eager to jump onto the field," he said.

The squads were announced exclusively to fans over the past two months and were finalised alongside teams unveiled by New Zealand and Australia.

Moana Pasifika completed it's playing roster yesterday with the announcement of former Highlanders and Crusaders outside back, Tima Fainga'anuku.

The 38-man squad is brimming with international and domestic experience, including former Wallabies veterans Sekope Kepu and Christian Leali'ifano, alongside several sons of Samoa and Tonga's international sides.

Harris helped coach the Fiji Sevens programme, he was part of the Tokyo gold-medal winning squad and was heavily involved with Fiji Rugby's 15s programme when the Drua won the NRC in 2018.

Jackson has been involved with the Flying Fijians as an assistant coach on an ongoing basis and was part of the coaching team for the mid-year tests against the All Blacks.

Interim CEO Brian Thorburn said the duo were no strangers to the Fiji Rugby vuvale and have been around various squads and teams in a number of capacities.

The 32 year-old Saulo made his test debut in 2012 and last suited up for the Flying Fijians in their final pool match at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The Suva born front-rower has played professionally in Romania, France and England and had a brief stint with US Major League Rugby franchise Rugby ATL earlier this year.

Former Fiji 7s captain Kalione Nasoko joins fellow Olympic champions Napolioni Bolaca and Ratu Meli Derenalagi in the inaugural Drua squad, which will assemble later this month in Australia ahead of pre-season training.

Flying Fijians and Nadroga prop Jone Koroiduadua, Namosi halfback Ratu Peni Matawalu, Flying Fijians and Naitasiri lock Chris Minimbi, former Fiji Under 20s captain Raikabula Momoedonu, and Namosi centre Kalaveti Ravouvou have also signed on with Fiji's first-ever professional rugby team.

Byrne's international coaching experience includes two Rugby World Cups, five Tri-Nations titles, five Rugby Championships and 11 Blesidoe Cups with the All Blacks.

He was the assisant skills coach for the All Blacks, the Wallables, Japan and Scotland, as well as the assistant coach for the Auckland Blues from 2012-2014.

Interim Drua CEO Brian Thorburn says Byrne's credentials are globally recognised and he's a wonderful addition to Fiji Rugby's first professional Super Rugby club.

Fresh from his triumph in Tokyo, utility back Napolioni Bolaca was joined by hooker Tevita Ikanivere, loose forward Nemani Nagusa, halfback Simione Kuruvoli and winger Onisi Ratave in signing on for the 2022 season.

Interim Fijian Drua CEO Brian Thorburn said the club was delighted to unveil it's first handful of signings.

"We're steaming ahead towards our historic first season, and today's naming signals our intentions - we are going to delight rugby fans with that typical Fijian flair and playing style," he said.