BRUTAL defence, aggressiveness, determination, teamwork and the trademark turnover attacking Fijian rugby flair destroyed the NSW Country Eagles’ hope of winning the National Rugby Championship (NRC) encounter against the ever improving Fiji Airways Drua outfit at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka yesterday.
The Fijian Drua clipped the Eagles’ wings with big hits and sheer pace to record a 31-14 bonus point win in front of ardent home fans.
Halfback Frank Lomani scored a brace of tries while flyers Eroni Sau, Apete Daveta and fullback Apisalome Waqatabu scored one each as the side secured two wins after three rounds of games.
Despite losing kingpin Peceli Nacebe through an ankle injury early in the game, the Fijian Drua players stood firm and worked as a unit to secure the maximum points on offer.
The forwards matched their opponents head-on with big hits complimented by the backline’s line running’ and combinations which caught their opponents on the back-foot on most occasions.
Discipline, however, haunted the Fijian Drua’s game but it failed to affect their performance. Flyer Eroni Sau and replacement halfback Seru Vularika were sin-binned but the Fijians managed to score one of their tries playing with 14 men.
The forwards of Joeli Veitayaki, Ratu Naisa Navuma, Kali Tawake, Sakiusa Nadruku, Samu Saqiwa, Filimoni Seru, skipper Mosese Voka and Peni Raidre were impressive while the impact players; Mosese Gavidi, Eroni Mawi, Samu Newa, Vasikali Mudu and Mataiasi Ucutabua lifted the game to another level.
Likewise for the backline, super sub Kini Douglas and flyer Eroni Sau combined well with the Nadroga boys in Eroni Vasiteri, Ifereimi Tovilevu, Apete Daveta and Apisalome Waqatabu to help the team secure the big win.
Coach Senirusi Seruvakula said the side, which first entered the tournament as “stranger”, has stamped its mark as a force to reckon with in the competition.
He said the experience of playing against Super Rugby players inspired his warriors to win the game.
Seruvakula said big hits and aggressive play contributed to the win.
“These boys are fast learners and we need to be in a winning environment,” he said.
“What motivated them? They want to win and playing against Super Rugby players also inspired them.
“Before the competition we want to put a mark and that is what they are doing now, they are making their mark in the competition.”
With a slender 10-7 half time lead, Seruvakula gave a special message to his troops to which the players responded in style.
He said all players played equally well and that was he wanted.
“For the second half, I told them to go up another gear, give the big hits and big tackles.
“The two yellow cards let us down and we cannot afford that. Also it was really disappointing to see Nacebe injured but Kini Douglas came in and jelled in well with the rest of the boys. We need to believe them. No one is number one as all are number one and even the guys on the bench are impact players, they can lift the game as showed in the second half.”
NSW Country Eagles coach Darren Coleman said his team dominated 80 per cent possession but the Fijians were tough in defence.
“We won 80 possession but we just could not break them. They showed lot of spirit,” he said of his team not being able to convert possession into points.
