There are a lot more experienced players in the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua this season who have played overseas as well as won the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific.
Fijian Drua co-captain, Frank Lomani highlighted this to fijivillage Sports at their base camp in Nadi, saying they have players like Peni Ravai, Mesake Doge, co-captain Temo Mayanavanua, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Super Rugby winner in Manasa Mataele.
Lomani says they have a tight group, in terms of knowledge and experience and having these senior experienced players around them, the new players feel like they need to get out there and play.
He says last season, he and a couple of other players picked up injuries that led to operations for and it left the younger players in a space where they knew that they really needed support.
He says going into this season, they have knowledge, have experience, and players that have been around since day one, which is good for the team.
Insert: Lomani on dream Jan 19
The Drua play the Chiefs next Friday in a pre-season match in Mount Maunganui, before they return to take on the Skipper Select on February 6 at Churchill Park.
They play Moana Pasifika in their first game at Churchill Park in Lautoka on February 14.
