Former Blues and Counties Manukau flyhalf Baden Kerr is one of three players and the first non-Fiji eligible player to be added to the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua squad for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific competition as an injury cover and provide needed guidance for the side’s other flyhalf options.
He has been handed the Drua #36 spot, whilst Suva halfback Leone Nawai gets the Drua #35 jersey and former New Zealand Warriors winger Selesitino Ravutaumada is Drua #37, leaving the franchise three more spots ahead of their Super Rugby debut.
On Kerr, Fijian Drua CEO Brian Thorburn said: “To start with, our first choice Fijian specialist flyhalves are all under an injury cloud, with one, Alivereti Veitokani ruled out for the 2022 season already with a major knee injury. Caleb Muntz is undertaking rehab from shoulder surgery. Teti Tela is undertaking light training only as he recovers from an Archilles tendon rupture. By the time he is ready to take part in full training, it will be pretty close to the start of the season.
“We have an urgent need clearly to get an experienced, quality flyhalf into the squad and into full training as the Coaching Team maps out our game plans for the season.
“Secondly, alongside our flyhalf injury concerns, our Coaching team has spent recent months analyzing our squad strengths. We clearly have a need for a flyhalf like Baden to mentor our remaining halves options who are new to Super Rugby and returning from extended stints in 7s. While they’ll get used to this environment in no time, we want to make an impact right from our very first match on 19 February. The Coaching staff settled on Baden as an ideal addition to the squad given his excellent game management and accurate goal kicking.
The CEO added: “We have said from the beginning that the Club is committed to bringing Fijian and Fiji-eligible players to Super Rugby, but will have the occasional need to add international players, or ‘jokers’, as cover for injuries and where experience and specialist skills are vital.”
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Head Coach Mick Byrne echoed the same sentiments
“Just like our fans, we want our game-plan based around fast, powerful and adventurous plays. We need a flyhalf with experience at this level to keep our pack moving forward with tactical kicking and unleash our backline at every opportunity. Baden has the right set of skills to meet this requirement.
“It’s exciting for us to have him in our Drua squad to reinforce that crucial playmaker position. He brings valuable top-level experience into our squad having played in Super Rugby, the English Premiership, NZ’s National Provincial Championship and Japan. Player welfare is paramount for our Club; we will not rush our injured players back, whilst keeping up the momentum heading into our first season. Baden’s experience will also be excellent mentorship for other flyhalf options Napolioni Bolaca, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Kitione Taliga.
“Successful Super Rugby teams play the game in the right part of the field, and Baden ticks all the boxes with a set of skills – adventurous play, tactical kicking and accurate goal kicking. He is already used to being part of a squad with players from the Fiji and Pacific Islands, so we’re confident he’ll adjust to the Drua environment.”
Regarding Nawai, Thorburn said he earned his place through consistency, patience and hard work on the domestic scene, having played in the Deans competition, the Fijian Under 20s, in the Skipper Cup as well as the Fijian Latui.
“He is already familiar to much of the playing group. It’s always special for our Club to have a homegrown talent rising through the ranks of our domestic and representative pathways to make it into our squad.”
Drua # 37 Ravutaumada joins the squad after a stint in Rugby League with the Junior Kiwis and the New Zealand Warriors. He takes up one of the outside back positions in the squad.
“Selestino adds to the competition for spots among our outside backs with his power and speed,” Thorburn said.
“He is a product of the Deans competition in Fiji through Marist Brothers High School and was recruited into New Zealand’s schoolboy competition before jumping across to Rugby League. After a couple of seasons with the New Zealand Warriors, he makes a welcome return to top-level rugby after a successful 2021 season with Hamilton Old Boys in the Waikato. An important part of our recruitment in the outside backs is a utility to cover both wing and fullback positions, which Selestino is equally adept at.”
