30 January, 2026, 5:31 pm Central - 30°C Rain

Vakatawa named at inside centre for Fijian Drua against Chiefs this afternoon

Vakatawa named at inside centre for Fijian Drua against Chiefs this afternoon

By Iliana Biutu
30/01/2026
Virimi Vakatawa

Former French international player Virimi Vakatawa has been named at inside centre in the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua side as they prepare to face the Chiefs this afternoon in their pre-season match.

Coach Glen Jackson has named two full line-ups of 15 players: one to feature in the first half and another for the second half.

First Half Line-up (Team A): Haereiti Hetet at loosehead prop, Zuriel Togiatama and Penaia Cakobau hooker, Samuela Tawake at tighthead prop, locks will be Temo Mayanavanua and Vilive Miramira, at  blind side flanker will be Mesake Vocevoce, Motikiai Murray at openside flanker, and Kitione Salawa at number 8.

Halves will be Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Simi Kuruvoli, Kemu Valetini at fly-half, Epeli Momo will be at number 11, Virimi Vakatawa number 12, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre at outside centre, Aisea Nawai and Maika Tuitubou at right wing, and Ilaisa Droasese at fullback.

Second Half Line-up (Team B):

Front row: Peni Ravai and Emosi Tuqiri (loosehead prop), Sairusi Ravudi (hooker), Mesake Doge and Harold Rounds (tighthead prop)

Locks: Isoa Nasilasila (number 4), Angelo Smith (number 5)

Loose forwards: Joseva Tamani (blindside flanker), Isoa Tuwai (openside flanker), Elia Canakaivata (number 8)

Halves: Frank Lomani and Philip Baselala (scrum-half), Isaiah Armstrong Ravula (fly-half)

Backline: Joji Nasova (left wing), Inia Tabuavou (inside centre), Manasa Mataele and Iosefo Namoce (outside centre), Taniela Rakuro (right wing), Isikeli Rabitu (fullback)

The Fijian Drua will take on the Chiefs this afternoon at 2.

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
All roads led to UB40 ft Ali Campbell and Katchafire for Suva and NZ family
A Suva and New Zealand family have been planning their outing for the last couple of months around the UB40 featuring Ali Campbell Big Love Tour with ...
42 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Defamation cases between Chaudhry and Prof. Prasad to be called in April
=The matter where leader of the Fiji Labour Party Mahendra Chaudhry has sued former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad ...
39 minutes ago

Free eye surgery brings hope to children with strabismus
The Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children's Hospital, in partnership with the CWM Hospital Eye Department, provided a one-day free corrective eye ...
1 hour ago

MOU signed between Oceania Hospital and University of Fiji
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the University of Fiji and Oceania Hospital to allow medical students from the University to get ...
1 hour ago

20 business linked to foreign worker rights breaches - Bernard
Around 20 of the 740 businesses currently employing foreign workers in Fiji have been linked to breaches of workers’ rights.This was revealed by ...
1 hour ago

Higher Education Comm orders immediate shutdown and registration of all student recruitment agencies
The Higher Education Commission has given the directive that all student recruitment agencies operating in Fiji cease operations immediately and ...
2 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Ailava Samuels to represent Fiji in Miss Pacific Pageant
Miss Fiji 2025 first runner-up and Miss Nasinu, Ailava Samuels, has been officially appointed as Fiji’s representative to next month's Miss ...
8 days ago

Referendum Bill risks undermining democracy - Dialogue Fiji
The National Referendum Bill risks undermining democracy by criminalising political expression, enabling state overreach and excluding young people ...
10 days ago

Shocking move : FNU reassigned under PM
The Fiji National University is being reassigned under the Prime Minister's Office Ministerial Portfolio via the Ministry of Strategic Planning, ...
10 days ago

TOP