The Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika are sitting 10th and 11th on the Super Rugby Pacific standings heading into the final round of the regular season.
Photo: Photosport / RNZ
What should we expect from the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika this weekend, as both the Pasifika-representative sides are playing their last matches of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Last weekend, both teams lost narrowly to their round 15 opponents the Western Force and Queensland Reds.
Reds v Fijian Drua
Kick-off: 7:35pm NZT, Friday 29 May
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Fijian Drua’s last dance will mark a key milestone, with hooker Zuriel Togiatama named to play his 50th game for the side.
Togiatama celebrated his 49th match last week by scoring his first-ever try, coming against the Force in Perth.
Togiatama, who has Niuean heritage and shares maternal links to Logana-Nawaitabu in Bua province in Fiji, will become only the sixth player to notch 50 Drua caps.
In addition, head coach Glen Jackson is finishing off with the side he has been with since 2022.
Jackson has named a match-day 23 that has young and experienced hands, including Isikeli Rabitu at inside centre, flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula named at fullback, and Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, who has been a steady hand in midfield for the side.
Veteran prop Peni Ravai is back and will start off the bench, with Isoa Nasilasila in to play his 64th game, partnering captain Temo Mayanavanua.
Nadi’s Kitione Salawa retains his number 7 jersey, to play his 51st game.
Salawa has turned consistency into points in 2026, producing back-to-back tries after recording just one across his previous 28 Super Rugby Pacific games.
Competition statistics suggest the Fijian Drua pack has been the hardest hitting attacking force among forwards in the competition, leading the competition with 11.5 tackle breaks per game.
It will be an area the side will be focused on as Jackson fully understands the battle upfront will set the pace for any go-forward during the game.
Jackson has opted for a 6-2 bench split, with Sairusi Ravudi, Peni Ravai and Mesake Doge providing front-row cover, while Joseva Tamani, Etonia Waqa and Isoa Tuwai strengthen the forward reserves.
Simione Kuruvoli and Virimi Vakatawa are the two backline replacements.
Reds coach Les Kiss has named a powerful side as well, but has retained the core of the team that pipped Moana Pasifika last weekend.
The match is a must-win for them, as they look to consolidate their spot in the top six.
Seru Uru, captain Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson have been named as the loose trio, with Joe Brial, moved to the bench.
Fijian heritage players Ben Volavola and Filipo Daugunu are covers for the backline.
Reds: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Matt Faessler, 3. Zane Nonggorr, 4. Josh Canham, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Seru Uru, 7. Fraser McReight (captain), 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. Carter Gordon, 11. Tim Ryan, 12. Hunter Paisami, 13. Josh Flook, 14. Lachie Anderson, 15. Treyvon Pritchard
Bench: 16. Richie Asiata, 17. George Blake, 18. Massimo De Lutiis, 19. Vaiuta Latu, 20. Joe Brial, 21. Louis Werchon, 22. Ben Volavola, 23. Filipo Daugunu.
Fijian Drua: 1. Meli Tuni, 2. Zuriel Togiatama, 3. Samuela Tawake, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Temo Mayanavanua (captain), 6. Vilive Miramira, 7 Kitione Salawa, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Issak Fines Leleiwasa, 10. Kemu Valetini, 11. Taniela Rakuro, 12. Isikeli Rabitu, 13. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 14. Manasa Mataele, 15. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
Bench: 16. Sairusi Ravudi, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Mesake Doge, 19. Joseva Tamani, 20. Etonia Waqa, 21. Isoa Tuwai, 22. Simione Kuruvoli, 23. Virimi Vakatawa.
ACT Brumbies v Moana Pasifika
Kick-off: 2:35pm NZT, Saturday 30 May
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Moana Pasifika head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga told reporters this week the team remains determined and has “nothing to lose” for their final match of the season.
“We’ve got to be confident in what we’re doing. We’re not going over there just to make up some numbers. We want to go over there and get a good result for ourselves.”
He said that with the match being their final match of the season, it provides a chance to reflect on the last five years.
“Moana Pasifika has worked hard to create a movement and win the hearts of minds of the community,” he said.
“Everything that we have done at our club and what we have tried to portray, we were unapologetically Pacific and some people really resonated with that and they enjoyed that. That’s just us being us.
He said Moana Pasifika was set up to create a pathway for rising Pasifika rugby players.
That has seen players like captain Miracle Faiilagi and the explosive Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa make their mark in the competition.
Faiilagi was picked up from Apia whie Ta’eiloa has come through the New Zealand system.
In the coompetiion statistics Ta’eiloa, 22, features in three of Super Rugby Pacific’s top 10 lists for different stat categories.
This includes being ranked eighth in carries, with 134, eighth in defenders beaten, stacking up against 37 defenders so far in his matches and is in the top 10 for top tacklers, recording 155 tackles to his name so far.
Lock forward Allan Craig has also been a standout for Moana Pasifika in the defensive department, currently fourth in Super Rugby for tackles with 162 so far.
Twenty one year old Israel Leota gets another chance to show his talent, following an impressive showing against the Reds last weekend.
Leota has scored one against the Reds and one also against the Highlanders in the Super Round, and ehas also made five line breaks and 11 tackle breaks across his last three games in the competition.
His wing partner Glen Vaihu is currently ranked 10th in the competition for clean breaks.
Brumbies are fifth on the points table with 33 points and will be looking for secure a bonus point win to secure their top six finish.
Their forward pack named for the clash include veteran James Slipper, livewire hooker Billy Pollard, the experienced Allan Alaalatoa and tough flanker Rob Valetini.
Brumbies: 1. James Slipper, 2. Billy Pollard, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Lachlan Shaw, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Charlie Cale, 9. Ryan Lonergan (captain), 10. Declan Meredith, 11. Corey Toole, 12. David Feliuai, 13. Kadin Pritchard, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Wright
Bench: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Blake Schoupp, 18. Rhys van Nek, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Luke Reimer, 21. Klayton Thorn, 22. Tane Edmed, 23. Hudson Creighton
Moana Pasifika: 1. Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Atu Moli, 4. Allan Craig, 5. Veikoso Poloniati, 6. Miracle Faiilagi (captain), 7. Semisi Paea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9. Augustine Pulu, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Glen Vaihu, 12. Faletoi Peni, 13. Solomon Alaimalo, 14. Israel Leota, 15. William Havili
Bench: 16. Mamoru Harada, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Paula Latu, 19. Alefosio Aho, 20. Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Tevita Latu, 23. Tuna Tuitama
