Super Rugby Pacific: Sau makes run-on side

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Swire Shipping Fijian Drua winger Eroni Sau gives the thumbs up during a training session at their home base in Nadi yesterday. The side faces the Melbourne Rebels in round six of the 2023 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on Saturday. Kick off is at 3.35pm. Picture: FIJIAN DRUA

Hard-hitting Swire Shipping Fijian Drua flyer Eroni Sau will start on the wing against the Melbourne Rebels tomorrow after he was named in the starting 15 by head coach Mick Bryne.

Sau is making a return to the matchday 23 after completing 12 days of Head Injury Assessment (HIA).

The explosive Flying Fijians winger left the field in the 58th minute of play when the Drua faced the Queensland Reds in round four of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition.

The ‘Sledgehammer’ sustained a concussion after being on the receiving end of a dangerous high tackle and was stood down for 12 days as he did not pass the HIA.

Nadroga star Michael Naitokani is in line for a potential and has been named on the bench.

Also making a return this week are Ilaisa Droasese, Jone Tiko and Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta.

Emosi Tuqiri starts this week at loosehead prop with Jone Tiko at tighthead.

In-form hooker Tevita Ikanivere completes the front row.

Isoa Nasilasila will partner Cirikidaveta in the second row.

Vilive Miramira (6) gets his first start for the session at blindside flanker, with Kitione Salawa retaining his openside flanker position and captain Meli Derenalagi as the number 8 loose forward.

In the backline, Frank Lomani starts at halfback, while Teti Tela returns at flyhalf.

Sau is on the left wing, with Selestino Ravutaumada taking over the right wing position.

Kalaveti Ravouvou is back at inside centre, with the impressive Iosefo Masi shifting to outside. Ilaisa Droasese completes the starting 15 at fullback.

Impact will be in the form of Zuriel Togiatama, Livai Natave, Kaliopasi Uluilakepa.

Joseva Tamani, Elia Canakaivata, Peni Matawalu, Naitokani and speedster Taniela Rakuro.

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua play the Melbourne Rebels at 3.35 pmthis Saturday at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.

Starting 15:

1 – Emosi Tuqiri, 2 – Tevita Ikanivere, 3 – Jone Tiko, 4 – Isoa Nasilasila, 5 – Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 6 – Vilive Miramira, 7 – Kitione Salawa, 8 – Meli Derenalagi (C), 9 – Frank Lomani, 10 – Teti Tela, 11 – Eroni Sau, 12 – Kalaveti Ravouvou, 13 – Iosefo Masi, 14 – Selestino Ravutaumada, 15 – Ilaisa Droasese

Reserves:

16 – Zuriel Togiatama, 17 – Livai Natave, 18 – Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, 19 – Joseva Tamani, 20 – Elia Canakaivata, 21 – Peni Matawalu, 22 – Michael Naitokani, 23 – Taniela Rakuro

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