Fijian Drua name 5 players for debut Super Rugby season

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — An Olympic sevens gold medalist and a Flying Fijians hooker and scrumhalf are among the first five players added to the roster of the Fijian Drua ahead of their inaugural season in Super Rugby Pacific.

Napolioni Bolaca, a utility back who won gold with Fiji at this year’s Tokyo Games, is the headline signing, announced Monday by Drua interim chief executive Brian Thorburn.

Thorburn said Bolaca will cover flyhalf, fullback and winger.

Hooker Tevita Ikianevere, who made his Fiji 15s debut against Georgia last year, is also among the first group of players who have been signed to two-year contracts.

The others are Onisi Ratava, a winger currently playing for Bay of Plenty province in New Zealand, backrower Nemani Nagusa and scrumhalf Simioni Kuruvoli, who played for Fiji against the All Blacks this season.

Thorburn said a further 32 players will be named over the next few weeks.

“We’re steaming ahead towards our historic first season and today’s naming signals our intentions,” Thorburn said. “We are going to delight rugby fans with that typical Fijian flair and playing style. It also underscores our commitment to offer a pathway for Fijian players into Super Rugby. The competition is about to get a whole lot more exciting."

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