Swire Shipping Fijian Drua stars Joseva Tamani and Taniela Rakuro are set to make their Bunnings NPC debut this weekend for Otago and Taranaki respectively.
Tamani has been named to start at lock for Otago in their clash against Southland, while Rakuro will start on the wing for the Taranaki Bulls when they host Northland.
Tamani will line up alongside former All Blacks 7s and Highlanders winger Jona Nareki, who has been named to start on the left wing for Otago.
Rakuro made headlines during a pre-season match two weeks ago after scoring five tries for the Bulls against Thames Valley.
He will partner with Vereniki Tikoisolomone on the wing, with Jacob Kneepkens-Ratumaitavuki named at fullback.
Otago faces Southland at 4.35pm Saturday in Invercargill while Taranaki will host Northland at 7.10pm.
Other NPC round 1 matches this weekend, Auckland will take on Waikato at 7.10pm tomorrow, Manawatu will play North Harbour at 7.10pm Friday, Wellington will host Canterbury at 2.05pm Saturday, Bay of Plenty will take on Tasman at 2.05pm Sunday, and Hawke’s Bay will play Counties Manukau at 4.35pm Sunday.
