The Fijian Drua Academy secured a 40-17 victory over the Melbourne Brothers rugby club on Monday at Prince Charles Park in Nadi.
The match marked an important milestone for the Drua Academy, as it was their first game together as a team, since joining the program.
Ben Padre Takubu, the Drua academy and community engagement project lead, shared his pride in the team’s performance, despite a few challenges.
“I’m super proud of the boys, especially since this is the first time we’ve played together as a group. There were some teething issues with our set pieces, but we’ll address these in our next camp,” said Takubu.
He believes that continued work in training will lead to improvement.
The goal for the match was to assess how the players performed as a unit and individually.
Takubu explained, “this was a chance to see how well the boy’s gel together as a team and test their skills. We’ve started the process, and I’m excited to see their development moving forward”.
The match was arranged after the Melbourne Brothers, who are preparing for an international tour this year, reached out to the Drua general manager rugby Baden Stephenson.
The game provided both teams with an opportunity to gain experience and enjoy competitive rugby in a friendly atmosphere.
The game was fast-paced and high-skilled, with players on both sides showcasing their talents.
Takubu is confident that this match will help the Drua Academy players continue to grow and improve as they prepare for future challenges.
