Swire Shipping Fijian Drua fans can expect an electrifying showdown this Saturday as the team prepares to host the Brumbies for the first time at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Head coach Glen Jackson says the atmosphere in camp has been electric, with players fired up after a well-earned weekend off.
“Monday was the biggest buzz I’ve had since being with the Drua.
“The boys came back refreshed, and training has been intense. There’s been a fair bit of whacking into each other, but that’s what happens when you have a squad eager to prove themselves,” Jackson revealed.
With depth across all positions, competition for starting spots has been fierce. Jackson highlighted the battle at fly-half, where young talents Caleb Muntz and Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula are pushing each other for the number 10 jersey.
Scrum-half is another hotly contested position, with co-captain Frank Lomani leading the charge alongside rising star Philip Baselala.
“There’s also strong competition in the loose forwards, which is exciting. We’ve added some great depth on the wings as well. These battles are exactly what we need to keep raising our standards,” Jackson said.
The Drua took a different approach to their pre-season, opting to stay in Fiji rather than traveling for international warm-up matches. Instead, they held an internal trial match under lights in Lautoka and faced Rugby FC Los Angeles.
Jackson believes this strategy allowed the team to bond and prepare more effectively.
“In previous years, we’ve won our pre-season games but struggled early in the season. So, this year, we focused on keeping the squad together.”
The first month of the season will be a major test, with the Drua facing three heavyweight opponents in the Brumbies, Hurricanes and Waratahs.
“Our preparation must be spot on. We’re excited for the challenge,” Jackson added.
With final selections to be made today, Jackson admits choosing the run on team will be a tough ask.
The Fijian Drua- Brumbies match kicks off at 3.35pm.
