There is always fresh competition between us halfbacks in the team – Peni Matawalu

There is always good competition between us the halfbacks in the team during training, but we always have each others’ backs when we enter the field.

Those were the words of Swire Shipping Fijian Drua halfback Peni Matawalu during an interview with fijivillage News.

While speaking in the i-Taukei language, Matawalu says having competition from Frank Lomani, Simione Kuruvoli and young Philip Baselala always makes things fresh and interesting especially when they fight for their spot in the match day 23 squad every week.

Peni, who is the younger brother of former Flying Fijians halfback Nikola Matawalu, has been named to start off the bench for the Drua against the Chiefs tomorrow.

The Drua will be out to back up their win against the Crusaders last week and also secure their first win away from home since 2022.

The Drua will take on the Chiefs in round 4 of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition at 6.30pm tomorrow in Hamilton.

In other matches this weekend, the Crusaders will host the Hurricanes at 6.05 tonight, the Rebels will play the Reds at 8.35 tonight, Western Force will take on Moana Pasifika at 11 tonight, the Highlanders will host the Brumbies at 3.35pm tomorrow and the Waratahs will play the Blues at 8.35pm tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Drua Women will take on the Reds in their first match of the 2024 Super Rugby Women's season at 3.35pm this Sunday in Ballymore, Brisbane.

In other Super W matches this weekend, the Western Force will take on the Rebels at 8.30 tonight, and the Waratahs will play the Brumbies at 6.05pm tomorrow.

Round 11