Melbourne Rebels to face Fijian Drua in Super Rugby trial

Fri, Jan 13, 2023, 1:56 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Fijian Drua host the Melbourne Rebels at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

The Melbourne Rebels will travel to Fiji after the Fijian Drua confirmed a trial match between the two sides on January 28 in Nadi.

The announcement comes after it was announced the Rebels will travel to Wagga Wagga to face the Brumbies on February 11 ahead of their opening game against the Western Force a fortnight later.

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It will be the first-ever trial match that Drua will host in Fiji, with Super Rugby heading to Prince Charles Park for the first time.

"We’re delighted to share with our fans that rugby returns just two weeks from now with our first trial match at home on 28 January," Fijian Drua Head of Commercial and Marketing Shane Hussein said in a statement.

"It will be a great Saturday afternoon out for rugby lovers as our Drua take on an exciting Melbourne Rebels outfit packed with current and emerging Australia stars.

"Trial matches are great fun for spectators. Coaches will field as many players as possible to get test them out in a competitive environment. This means fans will get to see all available Fijian Drua squad members in action."

After their inaugural season, coach Mick Byrne was excited for the opportunity to test themselves.

"I think practice games are always difficult,” he explained.

“We know what the opposition team will bring, so part of going against the Melbourne Rebels will be how we adapt to things we haven't seen before and our ability to work under the pressure of the game. 

“Obviously everybody likes to see a victory but for me, it's about getting the performance of what we're looking for, connectivity between attack and defense, our ability to stay in our systems, the ability to get our game going and bring in what we've been doing during preseason.” 

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