Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua Head Coach Senirusi Seruvakula has named national sprint champion Younis Bese on the right wing for the final round-robin match against the Brumbies in the Super W Championship on Saturday.
Bese who joined the Fijiana Drua last week came in as a replacement in the second half of the match against the NSW Waratahs last Friday and has been named as one of the eight changes from the starting lineup last week.
The Coca-Cola sprint champion in secondary school said she wanted to hang her rugby boots after the grueling training in her first week but with the help of the management and players helped her overcome the hardship.
“It was a challenge at first; the first week of camp I wanted to give up my rugby boots but with the girls help and manager, I just kept coming back and feeling the pain so it was a good experience,” Bese said from the Gold Coast base.
“I am here now and I am excited for this week’s game.
“I would just like to thank the management for the opportunity to be called for the starting line-up.
“I am really excited and nervous at the same time knowing that a lot of people back home are watching.
“There’s more support now through girls rugby and also us reaching this stage we’re giving girls some opportunity to join rugby.”
The Fijiana Drua sits firmly on top of the points table ladder with 20 points and has already booked a place in the finals.
Head coach Senirusi Seruvakula said he opted to rest some of his key players this week and give game time to those who have missed a few matches earlier in the season.
“That is exactly what I’m doing this week so that I can rotate the players and give a break to those who need it. All the players in the Fijiana Drua squad have already played in the Super W and they are aware of the expectation on the game day.”
Looking at the lineup, Keleni Marawa comes in at the hooker’s position and will front up in the scrums with Skipper Bitila Tawake and Joma Rubuti. Torika Semo also starts and will partner with Merevesi Ofakimalino at locks.
Adi Unaisi Biau and Akosita Ravato make it into the run-on team as flankers while hard-hitting Sereima Leweniqila moves to number 8.
In the Back, Seruvakula has maintained the halves combination of Rusila Tamoi and Merewalesi Rokouono. Vani Arei will pair up with Roela Radiniyavuni in the midfield while former national-level sprinter Younis Bese starts on the wing. Timaima Ravisa comes in at the fullbacks position.
“This week is a very important one for us as we want to top the table and at the same time we need to do our process right so that the girls remain focused for the game on Saturday.”
“We are not going to treat Brumbies lightly. We are just going to play like we have been playing week in and week out.
“We want to win and it comes with hard work and that’s the focus this week” said Seruvakula.
Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua squad v Brumbies
- Joma Rubuti
- Keleni Marawa
- Bitila Tawake ©
- Merevesi Ofakimalino
- Torika Semo
- Adi Unaisi Biau
- Akosita Ravato
- Sereima Leweniqila
- Rusila Tamoi
- Merewalesi Rokouono
- Vitalina Naikore
- Vani Arei
- Roela Radiniyavuni
- Younis Bese
- Timaima Ravisa
Reserves
- Vika Matarugu
- Mereoni Namositava
- Karalaini Naisewa
- Jade Cotes/Doreen Narokete
- Ema Adivitaloga
- Livia Naidei
- Temalesi Sigarara
- Vive Sikisawana
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