SENIRUSI SERUVAKULA 14 December, 2017 I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Australian and World Rugby for the inclusion of the Fijian Drua Team in the 2017 Australian National Rugby Championship. This was a great milestone for the Rugby and a remarkable opportunity for our local talented rugby players not only to showcase their natural abilities through their performance but also recognise the competition participants capability on the field with the potential to excel.

The NRC competition was also an exceptional development platform and learning environment for our local players in Fiji, enabling them to revitalise their full potential of rugby talents throughout the competition. Therefore, I would also like to sincerely thank the Management and staff of the for the great vision in developing this rugby platform of our local players to aspire in their rugby career locally and abroad, at the same time generating a pool of players for the pathway to the Flying Fijian Squad.

I also commend the Fijian Drua Management Team whereby our goals were directed successfully, meeting the Team’s objectives and opening opportunities for improvement throughout the competition. Chris Hickey (Director Technical) brought a great depth of experience into the Fijian Drua team, enabling the management team members and players to be at par with one another and highly adaptive to variations and open to change. Communication is one of the pillars to our team’s accomplishment as we look at our weekly game strengths and weaknesses and formulate effective planning and crucial decision making for the whole team. Weekly game and training reporting, face to face meetings with individual players allows team leaders to perform their duties on and off the field, efficiently and successfully. National Rugby Championship Periodized Plan June Day Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 KEY: Vacancy due Interview Selection Selection Period Skipper Comp Rnd 6 Test Match Aus Ita Scot DTE’s

July Fitness Test Day Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Camp Skipper Comp Rnd 7 Semi Final Faibrother Ch1 Ch2 NRC Competition PNC Ton Sam Squad Announcement 50 Selection DTE One Day Camp FT August Day Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31  50 extended squad to Faibrother Ch3 Ch 4 Ch 5 NRC be named on 15 July – DTE Camps One Day Camp after the Final of 35 Member Squad 35 26 PDM ARU Requirements Skipper September Day Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat  35 players to be Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 NRC Brisb Melb Eagles Perth Canberra named on Aug. 8 Venue Ballymore Harlequins Lawaqa Suva Viking Park Non - Travelling Group DTE (3 weeks prior to the

PDM Personal Development competition) October Day Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue  26 players to be Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 NRC Rams Bye Queensland Country Rays named on Mon. 28 Venue TG Milner Lautoka Suva st Non - Travelling Group DTE August , 1 game on Warriors nd PDM Sat. 2 September Under 20 November Day Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 NRC SemiFinals Finals Venue Venue decided by Ranking TBC Review The NRC plan was developed in consultation with the Flying Fijians Head Coach, Pathway Manager and General Manager Rugby I see this as a very important exercise from player selection, DTE’s, Fitness Test, Camp etc. for the development of local players exposed to the next level, gaining experience and confidence as we all know NRC is a very tough competition playing against , Test Players and premier grade players Our local national competition was shortened this year from 11 – 7 rounds. This needs to be reviewed for more game time and consistency of the players We were grateful to have a Capped game against Tonga before the NRC and such capping games should be regularly undertaken. PLAYER SELECTION For the player selection criteria, it was my recommendation that we select,

• Best Local players for exposure and gain more experience

• Marquee players on the verge of making into the Mitre 10 and playing in the , Brisbane Premier Grade • Core Players in the Under 20’s in the NRC Depth Chat. NRC DEPTH CHART National Rugby Championship Player Depth Chart & Identification Process SKIPPER CUP GROUP Positions Rank One Rank Two Next Group Next Group Development Group Next Group Next Group Loose Head Joeli Vetayaki Eroni Mawi (21) Osea Naganilau Apisai Vatubuli Hooker Jale Sassen Samu Suguturaga Jerry Naureure Mosese Gavidi Tuvere Vugakoto (20) Peceli Katoniwale Tight Head Kalivati Tawake Mosese Ducivaki Mesake Doge Luke Tagi (20) Samuela Newa Left Lock Jovesa Tanikorolevu Tevita Ratuva Sailosi Dawai Jale Railala Right Lock Ben Sadrugu Mataiyasi Ucutabua Apisai Tauyavuca Peni Naulago Daveta Koroitakali Vaione Tegu Blind Flanker Mosese Voka Samu Saqiwa Kelevi Naimasi Filimoni Seru Temo Mayanavanua (20) Timoci Temo Open Flanker Vasikali Mudu Veniona Vuki Peni Waqa Raidre Sivaniolo Qoro Saimoni Uluinakauvadra Number 8 Eremasi Radrodro Jiuta Takubu Sireli Kaloucava Apisalome Bogidrau Jitoko Usumaki Half Back Seru Vularika Franck Lomani (21) Sakiusa Gavidi Seru Cavuilati Peni Matawalu Peniasi Ratu (20) First Five Jonetani Ralulu Alivereti Veitokani Aseri Vatuinaruku Etonia Rokotuiwasa Fabiano Navabale Mosese Tikoduadua Sela Toga Teti Tela Second Five Eroni Vasiteri Cyril Reece Ifereimi Tovilevu Center John Stewart Eroni Sau Nemani Talemaitoga Josateki Turuva Wing Inj - Lepani Raiyala Apete Daveta Pateresio Buto Lutu Sevuloni Veramu Dikidikilati (20) Peceli Davobalavu Fullback Meli Nakarawa Apisaome Waqatabu Inia Tawalo Viliame Maiono Peceli Nacebe (22)

FLYING FIJIANS HPU PROGRAMS

National Rugby Championship Player Depth Chart & Identification Process VANUA CHALLENGE GROUP Positions Rank One Rank Two Next Group Next Group Development Group Next Group Next Group Loose Head Hooker Tight Head Left Lock Right Lock Walter Gerrard Blind Flanker Open Flanker Number 8 Half Back First Five Koroi Yavala Second Five Center Wing Peceli Davobalavu Fullback NRC Scheduling Overview FINAL

NRC Scheduling Overview FINAL

Mon Aug 28 Tues Aug 29 Wed Aug 30 Thurs Aug 31 Fri 1st Sept Sat 2 Sept Sun 3rd Field (Clarity) Field (Physical) Field (Speed) Travel to Brisbane Units/Gym Travel to Nadi Gym Capts Run Brisbane City, Ballymore

Mon 4th Tues 5th Wed 6th Thurs 7th Fri 8th Sat 9th Sun 10th Gym/Meetings Units Gym Travel to Field (Clarity) Field (Physical) Field Captain Run Melb, Harlequins

Mon 11th Tues 12th Wed 13th Thurs 14th Fri 15th Sat 16th Sun 17th Back into Camp Gym/Top Ups Field/Units (Speed) Meetings/Field Clarity Field/Units (Physical) Regen/Meetings Gym Captain Run Eagles, Lawaqa

Mon 18th Tues 19th Wed 20th Thurs 21st Fri 22nd Sat 23rd Sun 24th Back into Camp Gym/Top Ups Field/Units (Speed) Meetings/Field Clarity Field/Units (Physical) Regen/Meetings Gym Captain Run Perth Spirit, Suva

Mon 25th Tues 26th Wed 27th Thurs 28th Fri 29th Sat 30th Sun Oct 1 Back into Camp Units Gym/Meetings Travel to Sydney Field (Clarity) Field (Mixed) Captain Run Vikings, Canberra

Mon Oct 2 Tues 3rd Wed 4th Thurs 5th Fri 6th Sat 7th Sun 8th Gym/Meetings Units Gym/Top Ups Field/Units (Speed)

Field (Clarity) Field/Units (Physical) Regen/Meetings Regen Captain Run Rams TG Milner

Mon 9th Tues 10th Wed 11th Thurs 12th Fri 13th Sat 14th Sun 15th DTE? Gym/Meetings Gym/Units Field (Game Sim)

Field / (testing?) Team Act? BYE

NRC Final Standings League Table P W D L P+/- Pts Queensland Country 9 7 0 2 373/225 34

Canberra Vikings 9 7 0 2 393/221 33

Fijian Drua 9 4 0 5 282/302 22

Perth Spirit 9 4 0 5 304/277 21

NSW Country 8 4 1 3 219/217 20 Eagles

Brisbane City 8 4 1 3 281/291 20

Greater Sydney Rams 8 3 0 5 248/319 13

Sydney Rays 8 3 0 5 238/322 13

Melbourne Rising 8 1 0 7 193/357 4 Highlight of Round 6- bringing home the Horan-Little Shield out of for the first time, after our 57-36 win over the Greater Sydney Rams. Great come back after a huge loss to Canberra Vikings 66-5. Fijian Drua Players named into the Flying Fijians Squad after Round 8 Names Position 1 Kalivati Tawake Prop 2 Joeli Veitayaki Prop 3 Mosese Ducivaki Prop 4 Ratunaisa Navuma Hooker 5 Mosese Voka Flanker 6 Frank Lomani Half Back 7 Alivereti Veitokani Fly Half

 Advantage- player pathway, great exposure for the players for them to gain more experience and confidence playing at the international level

 Challege – This was the Final Stage of the competition and taking away these players disrupted our team set up and it was hard to blend in new players to take up their roles esp. loosing 5 main Forwards, This is an example of how we need to bridge the gap between our top ranked players and the lower ones 2017 FIJIAN DRUA STATS ANALYSIS REPORT BRISBANE MELBOURNE NSW PERTH CANBERA SYDNEY QUEENSLAND SYDNEY QUEENSLAND TOTAL COUNTRY SPIRIT VIKING RAMS COUNTRY RAYS COUNTRY (SEMI FINAL)

6 7 5 6 1 8 4 5 3 45 SCORING TRIES

PASSES 96 112 87 101 131 119 109 110 113 978 TACKLES 119 143 104 169 133 137 139 97 119 1160 Work -On MISSED TACKLES 35 34 21 33 27 36 30 27 37 280 TURNOVERS 20 14 12 14 14 20 22 21 18 155

KICKS FROM HAND 15 15 21 27 8 21 13 12 15 147 OPEN PLAY OPEN TURNOVER WON 3 7 5 14 0 7 3 8 7 54 LINEOUT LOST 2 2 3 2 2 5 3 2 3 24 More Understanding SCRUM WON 10 8 9 11 5 2 2 7 8 62

SCRUM LOST 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 2 98 % Great Achievement

RUCKS WON 22 122 54 53 86 0 56 85 75 553 SET PIECE SET RUCKS LOST 3 3 2 4 5 5 5 5 4 36 PENALTIES CONCEDED 9 12 19 12 13 10 18 18 10 121 Need to be Addressed SCRUM PENALTIES 2 1 8 1 2 0 7 5 0 26 TACKLE, RUCK & MAUL 6 6 3 7 8 4 7 4 4 49 PENS FOUL PLAY PENALTIES 1 3 5 2 3 1 1 3 5 24 Not Acceptable, more

PENALITIES YELLOW CARDS 2 0 2 0 0 0 3 1 2 10 awareness RED CARDS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Weakness Work On Strength

Defense e.g. 1 on 1 Understand individual role in the Attack tackle, break down area Tackle area breakdown- 10-20-30 Slow to the breakdown Need commitment and Scrum aggressiveness Quick tap and run into Counter opposition Quick Tap- 2 or 3 passes Attack

Understanding of the line Jump throw, accuracy in Fast out calls, poor throwing movement, good lifters Backline Restart Practice long kicking restart and quick line speed (apply pressure) Accuracy of the exits Do not overplay exits in red zone, Mobility of good blockers from the forwards, the Good position to kick forwards National Rugby Competition 2017 Players Review PLAYER Rugby Specific Mental Skills/ WORK ON /FOCUS Knowledge/Attitude / Discipline 1 Joeli Veitayaki Matured player, started off well and really work Improvement in understanding Agility, body position and to lead (Loose Head Prop) hard to maintain his position in the team. A lot game pattern. from the font amongst the front- of improvement in his scrummaging and rowers. involvement in phase play, good body position. 2 Eroni Mawi Very promising player, need more experience Positive and excellent attitude Technical aspect of the scrum, (Loose Head Prop) in the position, has improved scrum technique all around on and off the field. maintaining fitness and maintain and also has good understanding of the Can continue to deliver at the his role in the scrum. position. next level if consistent with his game. 3 OSEA NAGANILAU Need to get a higher work rate in phase play Good understanding of the Scrum technique and to be more (Loose Head Prop) and break down and his scrummaging. game but sometimes loose effective coming off the bench. focus.

4 Ratunaisa Navuma 1st year in the National Team, very high work More focus and understanding Technical aspects of the the line- (Hooker) rate and has a lot of potential. Good support is required out throws, scrummaging and player and willing to learn. need to bulk up.

5 Mosese Gavidi Academy player, new to the campaign and He has the potential to excel, Need to concentrate in his role in (Hooker) has the potential to go far with more with the right attitude. Willing to the scrum, line-out throws and consistency. learn and well disciplined. understanding of the game pattern National Rugby Competition 2017 Players Review

PLAYER Rugby Specific Mental Skills/ WORK ON /FOCUS Knowledge/Attitude / Discipline

6 Kalivati Tawake Regular in this campaign has the right frame Team man and well disciplined Communication and general play. (Tight-Head Prop) for tight head prop and excellent ball carry. with great leadership skills. Willing to learn and very consistent.

7 Mosese Ducivaki Has good strength, have a few difficulties at Good focus and willing to learn. Need to improve on his discipline (Tight-Head Prop) scrum but when spoken to, he works hard to and understanding in his role in the eliminate. position. Speed, explosiveness and agility. 8 Samuela Newa First year in the national team, need more Good discipline and right Scrum technique, match fitness (Tight-Head Prop) understanding in the scrum area and general attitude. Willing to learn. and needs to be mobile on the play. field. 9 PENI NAULAGO Has shown some improvement, but sometimes Take heed of advice and willing Endurance and body positioning, (Locks) shows inconsistency in general play and in the to learn. Good discipline. defense and to be a leader in the line-out line –out. 10 Mataiasi Ucutabua Improvement in General Play, Lineouts and More focus and understanding Body position on Attack and (Locks) Scrum. of the game. timing in the line-out. 11 Apisai Tauyavuca First time in the national competition, very He contributes well to the team, Work on his phase play, line-out, (Locks) talented and operates well in the line out. willing to learn and need to communication, and improve in his attitude scrummaging. PLAYER Rugby Specific Mental Skills/ WORK ON /FOCUS Knowledge/Attitude / Discipline 12 Samuela Saqiwa Former 7’s rep, really gel well in the NRC, Very disciplined with right Understanding of the game (Flanker-6) consistent in his game, operate well in the attitude and always willing to pattern, line-out calls and line-out . learn. positional play.

13. Sakiusa Nadruku Play 5,6,8, very talented. Excellent team man Need right attitude, and more Understanding of the game, (Flanker-6) and always willing to learn focus in training and on game Improve on his running lines and day. to be more effective on the breakdowns. 14 Filimoni Seru First time in the National team, very effective Well disciplined, right attitude, Fitness, line-out calls, ball player (Flanker-6) player, strong runner with the ball. Also play 5 willing to learn and offloads. & 6. 15 Mosese Voka Always lead from the front. Can also play Well disciplined and very Maintain his core skills and speed. (Flanker-7) Locks and very mobile and consistent focused that resulted in his Need more authority when consistency in training sessions talking to his team mates. and game day.

16 Vasikali Mudu A player with a lot of talent and very mobile Positive attitude and well Maintain his fitness and focus of (Flanker-7) but need more game time. disciplined. Always carry out the game pattern and to switch the task at hand. on from the start. 17 Peni Raidre First time in the National Team, very Positive attitude around on Need Decision making while (Flanker -6,8) consistent, high work rate, good strength and and off the field, maintain carrying the ball, maintain fitness, mobile player. good focus during the game, strength and scrummaging skills. good discipline and great leadership skills. PLAYER Rugby Specific Mental Skills/ WORK ON /FOCUS Knowledge/Attitude / Discipline 18 Frank Lomani Very young and very promising player. Long Full of talents but needs right Kicking, passing, communication, (Half-Back- 9) way to go in this campaign and great attitude organisation and general play opportunity ahead. positioning 19 Seru Cavulati Utility and very good impact player Willing to learn and needs to Kicking, passing skills, attack and (Half-Back- 9) improve in his attitude. defense.

20 Sakiusa Gavidi Was called in as a replacement, gel well in Good discipline with right Kicking, passing, communication, (Half-Back -9) the team and very athletic attitude and willing to learn. organization and understanding team pattern 21 Peceli Nacebe Full of talent but have a very disappointing Well Disciplined, with right Organization and (Fly-Half-10) season through injury earlier in the attitude and willing to learn communication competition. 22 Kini Douglas Very fast, talented, and reliable player whose Good discipline, get on well Organization, kicking skills and to (Fly-Half-10) very effective in general play. with team mates, right attitude be effective in his role play in the and willing to learn. 10 position

23 Alivereti Veitokani Promising player, had 2 games for us in the Needs right attitude , more Need to take responsibility in (Fly-Half-10) NRC and was picked for the Flying Fijians 2017 exposure and game dictating the game. Kicking skills. Northern Tour. confidence is highly recommended. PLAYER Rugby Specific Mental Skills/ WORK ON /FOCUS Knowledge/Attitude / Discipline 24 Cyril Reece Utility player, good speed of the mark, and Need improvement in his Defense, running line in attack, (Inside Center -12) the next step up in his position is to be a attitude and discipline communication and kicking leader. skills. 25. Ifereimi Tovilevu Very quite player but effective in his role. Very disciplined, right attitude, Communication, defense, and (Outside Center – great team player. maintain fitness 13) 26. John Stewart Utility player and very consistent throughout Well disciplined, right attitude Defensive system, core skills, (Outside Center – the competition. Good leader, always and still learning maintain fitness.27 13) respected among his team mates. 27. Apete Daveta Has a good work ethic, and very consistent Right attitude from the start Defense, support play and (Wing) in his game with 80 mins week in- week out. and very consistent in training maintain fitness High work rate and very promising player. and game day. 28. Eroni Sau Shown progress in his game, strong running, Willing to learn with right Consistency and focus, kicking, (Wing) try machine and very promising player attitude defense, need quick decision throughout making while carrying the ball. 29. Aporosa Tabulawaki Only played 1 game but need more Need to focus in role, team Understanding of the game (Wing) exposure and to have confidence in his role player and willing to learn. pattern, running lines, play communication and maintain focus 30. Meli Nakarawa Talented player but sometimes on the field is Needs to have the right Decision making, ball security, (Fullback- 15) out of focus. Utility player. attitude in training and on running lines and catching high game day. balls. 31. Apisalome Promising player with good attitude and Willing to learn, good Organization, line break ability, Waqatabu work ethic. Can play 10 and very dangerous discipline and right attitude. communication. (Fullback -15) in counter attack. CONCLUSION It was a very challenging experience for both players and management team. It was a tremendous achievement for Fiji Rugby to be ranked top 4 going into the Semi Finals as first timers in the NRC competition. It was also great exposure for the local guys based here in Fiji and it will greatly boost the local competitions coming next years’ selection. It will encourage local players to keep up with their personal training during the off-season inorder to be included in the extended squad next year.