Samo backs home side

Former Reds and Wallabies player Radike Samo is adamant that today’s Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific match between the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and Reds at the HFC Bank Stadium in Laucala Bay.

“It’ll be a tough game for both sides as they will look for a spot in the play-offs,” said Samo.

“I will back the Drua and hopefully they make it into the top eight and I really like the way they play.

“All teams in Super Rugby want to play like the Drua so hopefully playing at home will be an advantage for them and they’ll come out with the win.”

The 46-year-old is part of the Fiji Rugby Union and Rugby Australia’s Vuvale Week tour funded by the Australian Government and was in awe of the Drua headquarters in Legalega, Nadi.

“The facilities they use are state-of the art,” he said.

“When I used to play for the Nadi provincial side in 1996, there used to be a gym in Kennedy Avenue and it would cost $3 to use the facilities and back then, $3 was a big amount but we persevered through and found work to use the gym.

“I wish I had the same opportunity to have these facilities in Fiji and I would have loved to play for the Drua.

“I’ve always wanted to play for Fiji or in Fiji so if they were founded back in the day, I would’ve put my hand up and play for the Drua.”

He urges fans and rugby lovers to come out and support the Drua players as they play their last match of the regular season.

“I hope everyone turns up to support the team,” he said.

“The more people turn up to support them might give them a chance to play in the play-offs.”