Swire Shipping Fijian Drua star backrower Ratu Meli Derenalagi has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season after suffering a knee injury against the Western Force in round 6 two weeks ago.
This was confirmed by coach Glen Jackson who says this is a huge blow for the team’s campaign this season as they have lost a player of his calibre.
Jackson says Derenalagi had a knee surgery last week and will be out for 12 weeks which means he will not be able to part take again in the competition this year.
He says they will not be replacing Derenalagi with any player from outside the squad as they have a wide range of players they could pick from that play in that position.
Jackson also confirmed that they have promoted development player Isoa Tuwai into the senior squad recently after making his debut off the bench against the Brumbies in round 1 this year.
He has also confirmed that there are a few players that are injured in the team like Kitione Salawa and Ilaisa Droasese, but they are not serious injuries.
The head coach says they have now turned their focus to the Crusaders this weekend and they hope to deliver a great performance in front of their home fans.
The Drua will take on the Crusaders at 3.35pm this Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
In other matches this week, the Chiefs will take on the Reds at 6.05pm Friday, Moana Pasifika will host the Waratahs at 1.05pm Saturday, the Blues will take on the Hurricanes at 6.05pm Saturday and the Force will play the Highlanders at 8.35pm Saturday.
