ROOSTER Chicken Fijian Drua Women’s head coach Ifereimi Rawaqa has already set his sights on their next challenge as they prepare to face Western Force this Sunday at 8:50 pm.
Despite celebrating their hard-fought 21-15 victory over the Brumbies Women at Churchill Park on Saturday, Rawaqa is focused on refining their game plan and ensuring the team is ready for another tough contest.
“We will celebrate today’s(Saturday) win, but tomorrow, we start again,” Rawaqa said.
“We focus on our preparations against Western Force. We will go again, review our footage, analyse our game, and learn from it.”
Reflecting on their win against the Brumbies, Rawaqa acknowledged the team’s resilience in difficult conditions. He emphasised the importance of individual and team performance, noting both the strengths and challenges they encountered.
“I’m proud of the girls. It was a tough game, and we had to fight until the last minute,” he said. “Leading up to the game, we talked about individual performance, and while there were some disappointing moments, we take the win and move forward.”
One of the defining moments of the match was the last-minute penalty, where many expected the team to take the three points. However, the Drua women opted to continue their attacking play.
“We talk about patience, keeping the ball, and making sure we don’t take unnecessary risks,” Rawaqa explained.
“It nearly cost us, but we stuck in there and got the result we wanted.”
Newcomer Carletta Yee also caught the coach’s eye with a solid performance.
“She stood up, had her moment, and I’m proud of her. It’s all about the team, and we look out for each other,” Rawaqa said.
Captain Bitila Tawake echoed the coach’s sentiments, highlighting the team’s ability to adapt and respond under pressure. She praised the players for their patience and belief in their game plan.
“Despite the weather, we always prepare for the worst. The girls did well to bounce back in the second half,” Tawake said.
“Those last few minutes were nerve-wracking, but it just shows how much we trusted the process. Instead of taking the three points, we went for five, and that belief paid off.”
A win on Sunday night will allow the Drua women to host a home-semi-final.
