As the 2023 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season is nearing its end with the final round of matches to be held this week before it heads into the playoffs, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua has announced that it will be bidding farewell to nine of its players at the conclusion of this season.
Prop Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, Second rows Chris Minimbi and Sorovakatini Tuifagalele, backrowers Raikabula Momoedonu, Rusiate Nasove and Joseva Tamani, outside backs Kalaveti Ravouvou, Kalione Nasoko, and Kitione Taliga will depart the Drua after being part of the brand new franchise since its inception.
Fijian Drua Chief Executive Officer Mark Evans thanked the nine players for their contribution over the past two years saying their names will go down in history as being among those who started this Drua journey in the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
He says they helped make a 25-year dream a reality for Fijian Rugby by being one of the first players to don a Fijian Drua jersey.
Evans adds that farewells like these are always sad but doing this now allows them as a club before the conclusion of the season to acknowledge and celebrate them.
He says the Fijian Drua have achieved much in their first two seasons of Super Rugby, due in no small part to the contribution of these nine players.
The departing players will be acknowledged at the final Fijian Drua home match this season against the Queensland Reds.
The Fijian Drua versus the Reds game will kick off at 4.35pm Saturday with gates to the HFC Bank Stadium opening at 1.35pm.
