Super Rugby Pacific: Drua eye milestone as Waratahs arrive for season-defining clash

With the Super Rugby Pacific finals race heating up, all eyes turn to Suva this weekend as the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua celebrate a major milestone against the New South Wales (NSW) Waratahs in a match that could shape both teams’ seasons.

Saturday's match will be the Drua’s 70th Super Rugby Pacific game, fittingly coming against the same opposition they faced in their competition debut back in 2022.

Three years on, the Fijian side has grown into one of the competition’s most dangerous home teams, backed by a strong Suva crowd at HFC Bank Stadium.

Head coach Glen Jackson has kept the message simple ahead of the clash, urging his players to enjoy the moment while staying focused on the job.

Speaking from the team’s base in Nadi, Jackson says the squad is fresh and excited for their final home game of the season, with energy from the home crowd expected to play a big role again.

He has called on his side to defend their home ground and deliver a performance worthy of the occasion, with belief high inside the camp heading into what is effectively a knockout-style match.

The Fijian Drua celebrate a milestone weekend as they continue their push for a top-six finish in front of a passionate home crowd. Photo/Facebook/Fiji Sports

The Drua also enter the game still pushing for a top-six finish, with every point now critical as the regular season nears its end.

The Waratahs, meanwhile, arrived in Fiji knowing their season is on the line after a tough run of results.

Coach Dan McKellar has turned to his younger halves to spark a response, with changes made to the side following last week’s outing in New Zealand.

They will also need their forward pack to stand up in tough conditions if they are to get their season back on track, with attacking threats like Max Jorgensen and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii needing space to make an impact.

The Waratahs have made changes as they head into a must-win clash to keep their finals hopes alive. Photo/Photosport/Brett Phibbs

But Suva has not been an easy place for visiting teams and the Drua’s physical style up front, combined with their ability to lift in front of home fans, makes this a major test for the Australians.

The occasion adds even more weight, with both sides sitting just outside the top six and desperate for a win to keep their finals hopes alive.

The Drua women will also be in action earlier in the day, facing the Waratahs women in a 1.05pm (NZT) warm-up match before the main men’s clash kicks off at 4.35pm (NZT).

Elsewhere in the competition, the Moana Pasifika have the bye this weekend, giving them a chance to reset before the final push.

Elsewhere, the Chiefs host the Highlanders on Friday night while the Blues face the Hurricanes in a top-of-the-table showdown on Saturday and the Western Force meet the Queensland Reds as the race for finals spots tightens across the board.

With just three rounds left, every game now carries finals pressure but in Suva, it’s the Drua who carry both the milestone and the momentum of a proud home crowd behind them.

Moana Pasifika have the bye this round as the Super Rugby Pacific finals race tightens with just three rounds remaining. Photo/Moana Pasifika

TEAMS

DRUA (1-15): Peni Ravai, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Temo Mayanavanua (co-c), Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Manasa Mataele, Virimi Vakatawa, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Frank Lomani (co-c), Isikeli Rabitu. Replacements: Kavaia Tagivetaua, Emosi Tuqiri, Samuela Tawake, Mesake Vocevoce, Vilive Miramira, Isoa Tuwai, Philip Baselala, Kemu Valetini

WARATAHS (1-15): Jack Barrett, Ioane Moananu, Dan Botha, Matt Philip (c), Miles Amatosero, Clem Halaholo, Charlie Gamble, Angus Scott-Young, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Triston Reilly, Lawson Creighton, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Harry Potter, Max Jorgensen. Replacements: Oniti Finau, Isaac Kailea, Apolosi Ranawai, Ben Grant, Jamie Adamson, Michael McDonald, Jack Debreczeni, Sid Harvey.

Referee: James Doleman. Assistant referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon. TMO: Aaron Paterson.