Melbourne Rebels vs Fijian Drua Prediction: Drua can land elusive away win

Fijian Drua have become a force to be reckoned with on their own patch at Churchill Park but have an opportunity to land a first away win of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season when they travel to the Melbourne Rebels on Friday morning (09:35).

The Rebels have made a solid start to the season and, like Drua, they have managed to win three of their opening six games in the competition. However, conceding the second-most points in the competition behind Moana Pasifika, the Rebels have a defence that is there to be got at. Given Drua’s attacking threats, expect a high-scoring encounter when these sides clash at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, as our Melbourne Rebels vs Fijian Drua predictions suggest.

Team News 

Starting with the Rebels, head coach Kevin Foote has gone with the same front-row of Matt Gibbon, Jordan Uelese and Sam Talakai that featured in the 27-21 win at the Waratahs last time out.

Josh Canham returns at lock alongside Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, while Angelo Smith, Maciu Nabolakasi and Tuaiana Taii Tualima form the back-row.

Ryan Louwrens and Carter Gordon go again in the half-backs, with the dangerous combination of David Feliuai and Filipo Daugunu in the centres.

Glen Vaihu, Darby Lancaster and Nick Jooste form the back-three hoping to cause the visitors’ defence problems.

As for Drua, head coach Mick Byrne welcomes back hooker Tevita Ikanivere to the starting XV, alongside Haereiti Hetet and Mesake Doge in the front-row.

Locks Mesake Vocevoce and Leone Rotuisolia are in the engine room, while Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa and skipper Meli Derenalagi make up the back-row.

Frank Lomani starts at scrum-half alongside Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, while Apisalome Vote and Iosefo Masi make up the centres.

It’s a frightening back-three on show with Epeli Momo, Selestino Ravutaumada and Ilaisa Droasese starting from the off.

Match Odds

The Rebels are 5/6 favourites to claim the win, while Drua are available at 11/10 for the victory. A draw in Melbourne is currently 25/1.

Fijian Drua to win @ 11/10

Having beaten the Waratahs and Western Force in their last two games, Drua are looking to make it three wins on the spin against Australian opposition this week.

Both those wins against the Tahs and the Force were in the home comforts of Lautoka and now it’s up to Drua to try and do the business on the road.

With a seismic pack and a powerful backline capable of breaking holes through any defence, Dura are well-priced to come away from Melbourne with that elusive first away win of the season.

Fijian Drua over 27.5 total points @ 5/6

Conceding 215 points in their first six games of the season, it’s remarkable the Rebels have managed to win as many matches as they have.

A leaky defence continues to be an issue for Foote to deal with and conceding an average of just under 36 points-per-game is a real problem.

Given the visitors' attacking capabilities, Drua to score over 27.5 total points is certainly worth considering here.