Injuries rule duo out for the season

THE Swire Shipping Fijian Drua have been dealt a major blow ahead of their upcoming matches, with key players ruled out for the remainder of the season due to injuries.Head coach Glen Jackson confirmed that former captain Meli Derenalagi will not return this year after suffering a serious knee injury.Adding to the injury concerns, fullback Ilaisa Droasese has been sidelined with a broken wrist, while back-rower Kitione Salawa is nursing a quadriceps strain.

Winger Epeli Momo, who underwent knee surgery around the same time as Derenalagi, is also out for the season.“It is obviously disappointing to lose someone like Meli, who has been playing really well. We’ve lost a few players, and hopefully, we have the depth to cover these positions,” Jackson said.



Despite the setbacks, the coach remains confident in his squad’s depth. Young back-rower Isoa Tuwai, who was promoted to the senior squad this year, is expected to step up.Other options in the back row include Elia Canakaivata, Vilive Miramira, and Etonia Waqa with Jackson stressing that the team is well-covered in this area.

With several key players unavailable, the Drua will need to rely on their squad’s resilience and adaptability as they push through the remainder of the Super Rugby Pacific season.The post Injuries rule duo out for the season appeared first on The Fiji Times..