Vodafone Flying Fijian gamers from left, Mesake Doge, Josua Tuisova, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Vinaya Habosi and Simione Kuruvoli pictured with younger cousins, Malia Senibua, 6, and Patricia Talau, 6, on the Vodafone Triangle in Suva on Friday, July 01, 2022. Image: JONACANI LALAKOBAU
Vodafone Flying Fijians prop Mesake Doge believes the inclusion of the Swire Delivery Fijian Drua workforce within the Tremendous Rugby Pacific competitors is a breath of contemporary air for Fijian rugby. Doge, who’s now thought-about a veteran amongst Fijian rugby props, mentioned it was good to be house and amongst some younger and rising stars.
“It’s a good feeling to be again,” mentioned Doge. “It had been some time since I used to be right here and it’s good to fulfill the younger gamers coming by the ranks. It provides a superb depth to the Flying Fijians as a result of it has at all times been one thing we wanted for quite a few years.”
The 29-year-old, who performs for Dragons within the Pro14 competitors in Wales, charges the Fijian Drua gamers extremely saying they carry a unique fashion of play into the workforce.
“They convey a unique kind of mindset. Competitions within the Northern Hemisphere are totally different to the competitions within the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoying Tremendous Rugby is totally different and it brings an outburst of Fijian rugby. They’re very succesful and proficient gamers and our function as older gamers to assist them as a lot as we are able to on this Pacific Nations Cup competitors.”
With 16 on the 34-member Flying Fijians squad from the Fijian Drua squad, Doge mentioned it constructed depth within the nationwide workforce. “It’s one space we struggled with recalling numerous years the place we play properly within the first quarter-hour after which slack off a bit later. With Tremendous Rugby being launched, gamers get acclimatised to greater ranges of competitions which is sweet for Fijian rugby. These gamers assist us rather a lot. It’s not simple taking part in a yr of rugby as you may inform among the gamers are coming into camp with battle scars, so with the Drua boys in camp, it’s a fairly good combine.”
