Fijian Drua vs Brumbies Prediction: Drua down to secure opening victory

Both the Fijian Drua and Brumbies made it to last year's Super Rugby Pacific play-offs and return aiming for similar results in 2025. In their third Super Rugby season, the Drua lost in the quarter-finals to the eventual champions for the second straight year, going down to the Blues, who went on to beat the Brumbies in the last four.

The Drua have a strong record at HFC Bank Stadium but the Brumbies have won all four previous meetings, including a 28-20 victory last year. However, things could be about to change with the Drua's inspirational fly-half a contender to decide the game. Read on for my Fijian Drua vs Brumbies prediction.

Rugby Union Odds

Team News

Flanker Joseva Tamani starts in the six shirt and will make his first appearance for the Drua since 2023.

Wingers Vuate Karawalevu and Ponipate Loganimasi will make their debuts from the start, while back-rower Isoa Tuwai could also make his first appearance from the bench.

The Brumbies have left some of their stars at home ahead of next week's derby with Western Force and centre Austin Anderson will make his debut, as will the trio of Lington Ieli, Judah Saumaisue and Kadin Pritchard from the replacements bench.

New recruits Feao Fotuaika and Tuaina Taii Tualima also start in the pack.

Fijian Drua vs Brumbies Odds

The Betfred traders believe these two are impossible to split, with both the Drua and Brumbies priced at 20/21 and the draw 18/1.

Fijian Drua -2 handicap @ 6/5

Something has to give on Saturday. The Brumbies have never lost to the Drua, but conversely, the Drua are undefeated against Australian sides when playing at home - their only 'home' defeat to the Brumbies having come in Brisbane.

Intriguingly, despite Fijian rugby's reputation for free-flowing rugby, the Drua were scoreless in two of their last three matches at half-time, including last season's 36-5 defeat to the eventual champions, the Blues.

The Auckland outfit then went on to defeat the Brumbies 34-20 and the Canberra club will be looking to match their efforts from last year.

However, they may have to do so after a losing start, with the home team tipped to sneak home in Suva.

Caleb Muntz anytime tryscorer @ 3/1

If things stay tight, then a bit of magic from either Caleb Muntz or Noah Lolesio could make the difference. Lolesio had a coming-of-age season in 2024, finally establishing himself in the Wallaby side.

Muntz returned after the devastating knee injury that ruled him out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, most notably scoring 19 points in November as he almost single-handledly destroyed Wales in Cardiff.

The 25-year-old is more pragmatic than previous Fiji 10s but has dazzling footwork and will target debutant Anderson's centre channel.

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