Nasilasila ruled out for 3 to 4 weeks due to calf injury

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua have been dealt a huge blow ahead of their Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific round 3 clash against the Crusaders this weekend after veteran lock Isoa Nasilasila was ruled out for 3 to 4 weeks due to a calf injury.

This has been confirmed by coach Mick Byrne during the weekly press conference as they look forward to their first home game of the 2024 season.

Nasilasila suffered the injury in their Super Rugby Pacific Super Round clash against Moana Pasifika last weekend.

Byrne says Nasilasila has been a consistent player over the last two seasons with the Drua and he is a resilient sort of player and this injury is unusual for him.

He says 24-year-old Lock has started his activation program this week which is a positive note.

Byrne says despite the setback, they have depth in the position, especially with the consistency shown by rookie lock Mesake Vocevoce and also having Ratu Rotuisolia returning and starting his training again with the team.

Byrne also gave an update on fullback Ilaisa Droasese who missed the first two rounds of this season due to injuries and says Droasese trained well with the team today and is looking really good.

He says it was a very physical training session today and the 24-year-old managed to get through it. He adds that injured players who have been ruled out for 2 weeks are usually given 24 hours to recover to see how they pull up. The Fijian Drua will take on the Crusaders at 1.05pm this Saturday at Churchill Park, Lautoka. The ticket prices for this match are $20 flat for adults and children from the ages of 2 to 12 years old in the North grass, and $35 for adults and $20 for children from the ages of 2 to 12 years old in the East grass.

In the Waitui stands, $50 for adults and $25 for children from the ages of 2 to 12 years old.

The prices for Timber Stand 2 are $70 for adults and $35 for children from the ages of 2 to 12 years old and Timber Stand 1, is $95 for adults and $50 for children from the ages of 2 to 12 years old.

For the silver Southwest stand, $100 for adults and $50 for children from the ages of 2 to 12 years old.

The gold southwest stand and platinum stand will be $150 flat.

In other matches this weekend, Moana Pasifika will take on the Rebels at 6.05pm Friday, the Waratahs will play the Highlanders at 8.35pm Friday, the Brumbies will host the Western Force at 3.35pm Saturday, the Hurricanes will play the Blues at 6.05pm Saturday and the Reds will take on the Chiefs at 8.35pm Saturday.