Drua coach Jackson banks on Valetini's boot against Force

Fijian Drua coach Glen Jackson is placing his faith in the seasoned boot of Kemu Valetini for their high-stakes clash against the Western Force. This strategic decision sees Valetini, a veteran flyhalf, earn the starting No. 10 jersey over the promising Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula. Jackson emphasized that Valetini's experience in Australian rugby and his tactical kicking prowess are crucial assets needed to counter the Force's territorial game, especially in a match where field position is expected to be decisive.

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Kemu gets a start because I thought he played extremely well when he came on.

The Drua's recent comeback against the Waratahs, sparked by a series of substitutions including Valetini's impactful cameo, has clearly boosted Jackson's confidence in the veteran's ability to steer the team. While acknowledging Armstrong-Ravula's significant contributions and heavy workload this season, Jackson's focus is on securing a vital win on Australian soil. The coach understands that the Force's dangerous back three and strong tactical kickers mean the battle for territory will be paramount.

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Izzy has been awesome for us. He’s a young man and he’s played a heck of a lot of minutes, not only with us but with the Flying Fijians as well.

From a Fijian perspective, this match is more than just a game; it's an opportunity to showcase the Drua's resilience and tactical acumen on an international stage. While Western media might focus on the player selection as a simple tactical move, for Fijian fans, it's about backing our players and trusting the coaching staff's strategy to bring home a crucial victory. The Drua represent not just a team, but the pride of Fiji, and every match is a chance to prove our mettle against formidable opposition.

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We’ll need to make sure the field position is in favour of us because the Force kick a lot. They’re good kickers as well and have a very good back three.