What’s next for Fiji after a Rugby World Cup to remember
The IndependentSign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It can’t have been more than 90 minutes after defeat to England was confirmed when the sound of a Pacific Island beat and stomping feet bounced around the bowels of the Stade Velodrome, Simon Raiwalui’s beaten side making their Rugby World Cup exit with a boombox, and their heads, held high. Few of the Fijian starting line-up for Sunday’s quarter-final represent the Fijian Drua, but the impact of the Super Rugby Pacific franchise could be felt off the bench: scrum half Simione Kuruvoli and back five forward Meli Derenalagi - a potential successor to Nayacalevu as captain with the centre unlikely to make another World Cup – were among those to produce prominent cameos. open image in gallery Meli Derenelagi captained the Fijian Drua to a Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final An elevation into the international top tier is expected to follow the Drua’s addition to Super Rugby. While this might have been the last World Cup for stars like Levani Botia and Nayacalevu, it can be said with confidence that new ones will emerge - 20-year-old flanker Motikai Murray is a figure of budding back row brilliance, while rangy runner Joseva Talacolo and prop Emosi Tuqiri are names to monitor.