The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua have unveiled their 2025 Super Rugby Pacific 41-member squad which includes 32 Flying Fijians, with hooker Tevita Ikanivere and halfback Frank Lomani taking on the roles of co-captains – a first for the club.
Ikanivere, who holds the record for most appearances (38) and second on the club’s try-scoring list (10 tries), has long been a leader for the Drua, while Lomani, the team’s most-capped player with 53 appearances, adds further depth to the leadership group. He has also scored 100 Super Rugby points, one of only two players in the squad to reach that milestone.
Both captains spoke about their pride in being selected to lead the team. Ikanivere called the honour “a big pleasure” while Lomani reflected on the team’s growth since its inception, stating, “Being there since year one, I’m excited to be here with the Drua. (I’m) really excited and pretty emotional because I didn’t really expect to be called up to be co-captain with Tex (Ikanivere). Three years into this competition and going onto the fourth year, this team has come a long way.”
The 2025 Drua squad has been strengthened by the addition of several key players, all of whom bring experience from overseas. Among the new signings is Peni Ravai, a 50-Test capped Flying Fijian prop, who joins from the Queensland Reds, and Inia Tabuavou, a tough centre from Racing 92. Vuate Karawalevu, a recent debutant for the Flying Fijians, returns to Fiji after a stint with the NSW Waratahs, while Ponipate Loganimasi, an Olympic silver medalist in 7s, makes the move to 15s after impressing for the national team. Also making his return is flanker Joseva Tamani, who re-joins from the Colomiers Rugby Club in France’s Pro D 2 competition.
Head Coach Glen Jackson welcomed the return of Tamani who will provide further experience in the backrow of a generally young squad littered with strong development players coming through the system, including flanker Motikiai Murray and halfback Phillip Baselala.
With the squad now complete, the Drua are aiming for a strong showing in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
SWIRE SHIPPING FIJIAN DRUA SQUAD 2025 SHOP N SAVE SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC | |||
---|---|---|---|
POSITION | NAME | DRUA APP. | NOTES |
LOOSEHEAD PROPS | Emosi Tuqiri | 17 | 2023 Flying Fijians Wider Squad |
Haereiti Hetet | 27 | Flying Fijian, 12 Tests | |
Livai Natave | 15 | Flying Fijian, 4 Tests | |
HOOKERS | Mesulame Dolokoto | 26 | 1 Drua tryFlying Fijian, 17 Tests |
Tevita Ikanivere (cc) | 38 | 10 Drua triesFlying Fijian, 23 Tests and 7 Tries2023 Rugby World Cup | |
Zuriel Togiatama | 28 | Flying Fijian, 6 Tests 2023 Rugby World Cup | |
TIGHTHEAD PROPS | Mesake Doge | 18 | 1 Drua TryFlying Fijian, 17 Tests 2023 Rugby World Cup |
Samuela Tawake | 34 | Flying Fijian, 11 Tests 2023 Rugby World Cup | |
Meli Tuni | 8 | Flying Fijian, 1 Test | |
Peni Ravai | – | 2025 New Recruit 27 SRP Caps (Reds)Flying Fijian, 53 Tests | |
LOCKS | Isoa Nasilasila | 37 | Flying Fijian, 20 Tests2023 Rugby World1 Drua Try |
Leone Rotuisolia | 27 | 3 Drua triesFlying Fijian, 5 Tests | |
Mesake Vocevoce | 15 | 2024 Drua Rookie of the Year Flying Fijian, 5 Tests | |
Sailosi Vukalokalo | 2024 Drua Community Champion of the Year | ||
Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta | 28 | 3 Drua triesFlying Fijian, 9 Tests2023 Rugby World Cup | |
BACKROW | Elia Canakaivata | 27 | 6 Drua triesFlying Fijian, 8 Tests2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens Winner |
Kitione Salawa | 27 | 3 Drua triesFlying Fijian, 8 Tests | |
Meli Derenalagi | 31 | 2 Drua triesFlying Fijian, 12 tests2020 7s Olympic Gold Medallist2023 Rugby World Cup | |
Motikiai Murray | 6 | Former Fiji U20 Captain | |
Vilive Miramira | 30 | 3 Drua triesFlying Fijian, 3 Tests2023 Rugby World Cup | |
Etonia Waqa | 17 | ||
HALF BACKS | Frank Lomani | 28 | 53 total SRP caps (28 for Drua, 25 for Rebels).11 SRP tries (3 for Rebels, 8 for Drua tries).100 SRP pointsFlying Fijian, 42 Tests2023 Rugby World Cup |
Peni Matawalu | 37 | 2024 Drua Personal Development Champion of the Year1 Drua tryFlying Fijian, 11 Tests2023 Rugby World Cup | |
Philip Baselala | 2 | Former Fiji U20 | |
Simione Kuruvoli | 17 | Flying Fijian, 15 Tests2023 Rugby World Cup | |
FLYHALVES | Caleb Muntz | 17 | 2024 Drua Dausoko of the YearFlying Fijian, 12 Tests |
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula | 14 | Flying Fijian, 7 TestsFormer Fiji U20 | |
Isikeli Rabitu | 3 | 1 Drua Try | |
Kemu Valetini | 19 | 2024 Drua Men’s Moment of the YearFlying Fijian, 1 Test | |
CENTRES | Iosefo Masi | 29 | 16 Drua tries (Drua’s leading try scorer)2024 Men’s Player of the Year 2024 Paris Olympics Silver Medallist 2023 Rugby World Cup2022 Rugby 7s World Cup Winner2020 7s Olympic Gold Medallist |
Waqa Nalaga | 5 | 2 Drua TriesFlying Fijian, 1 TestFormer Fiji U20 | |
Inia Tabuavou | – | Flying Fijian, 7 Test2025 Rookie | |
Tuidraki Samusamuvodre | 10 | Original Drua Squad Member | |
BACK 3 | Selestino Ravutaumada | 37 | 10 Drua tries2024 Drua Fan Player of the Year2024 Paris Olympics Silver Medallist Flying Fijian, 8 Tests2023 Rugby World Cup |
Ilaisa Droasese | 27 | 32 SRP appearances (27 for Drua, 5 for Reds).7 SRP Tries (6 for Drua, 1 for Reds)Flying Fijian, 12 Tests2023 Rugby World Cup | |
Taniela Rakuro | 15 | 4 Drua tries | |
Epeli Momo | 11 | 2 Drua triesFlying Fijian, 4 Tests | |
Junior Ratuva | 5 | 1 Drua try | |
Vuate Karawalevu | – | Flying Fijian, 5 Tests, 1 Try | |
Ponipate Loganimasi | – | 2025 RookieFlying Fijian, 2 Tests, 2 tries 2024 Paris Olympics Silver Medallist | |