Hurricanes vs Fijian Drua Tips - Hurricanes to dominate Drua in Super Rugby

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: Fri 21 Feb 2025 08:37

Ralph Staniforth 21 Feb 2025

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Hurricanes predicted to cover a 19.5-point handicap.
Hurricanes' past season success contrasts with a recent close loss.
Fijian Drua struggles in away matches, recently losing to Brumbies.

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Hurricanes set for convincing victory (Getty Images)

Hurricanes vs Fijian Drua Tips

Fijian Drua's away form in 2024 was poor, particularly against the top sides. The Hurricanes can win this and cover the handicap of 19.5 points.

Hurricanes vs Fijian Drua Tips
Head to Head
Hurricanes Form
Hurricanes Team News
Fijian Drua Form
Fijian Drua Team News

Hurricanes won 15 of their 18 matches in 2024.
Hurricanes lost their last match.
Hurricanes beat Fijian Drua by 23 points last season.
Fijian Drua’s have a poor away record.
Fijian Drua lost to the Brumbies last weekend.

Head to Head

The Hurricanes beat the Fijian Drua 38-15 away from home last season. It was one of the very few home games that the Drua struggled in.

Hurricanes Form

The Hurricanes dominated Super Rugby last season, topping the table after the round robin stage. They lost just two of their 14 group phase game.

After cruising through the quarter-final, the Canes lost out at home to the Chiefs in the semi-final, a very unexpected result. This season the Canes will want to challenge again for the title, but they made an average start last weekend.

Traveling to Christchurch to face the Crusaders is never an easy task, despite the hosts having had a horror season in 2024. The Hurricanes will feel they could have gotten more from the game, but in the end, they lost 33-25, one point shy of a losing bonus point.

Hurricanes Team News

15 Callum Harkin, 14 Fehi Fineanganofo, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, 11 Kini Naholo, 10 Harry Godfrey, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Brayden Iose, 7 DuPlessis Kirifi (co-captain), 6 Brad Shields (co-captain), 5 Hugo Plummer, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Tevita Mafileo, 2 Jacob Devery, 1 Xavier Numia.

Replacement: 16 Raymond Tuputupu, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Will Tucker, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Riley Hohepa, 23 Ngatungane Punivai.

Fijian Drua Form

Fijian Drua have made the Super Rugby playoffs in the last two seasons. Their inclusion has certainly helped the national side as well while also being competitive in Super Rugby.

What carried Drua last season was their wonderful home record where they achieved some notable results. Their away form will have to, however, improve if they are to challenge for a top four spot.

Last weekend, on home soil, Fijian Drua again showed their quality against the Brumbies, but the Aussie sides’ experience and forward power carried them to a 36-32 victory.

Fijian Drua Team News

15 Ilaisa Droasese, 14 Junior Ratuva, 13 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 12 Inia Tabuavou, 11 Tanilea Rakuro, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Frank Lomani (co-captain), 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Motikiai Murray, 6 Meli Derenalagi, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Emosi Tuqiri.

Replacements: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Meli Tuni, 19 Leona Rotuisolia, 20 Kitione Salawa, 21 Peni Matawalu, 22 Caleb Muntz, 23 Iosefo Masi.