The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua promised a better showing against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney last week, and while they had a much better start, they suffered their biggest loss to the Tahs in three years.
It was looking promising when they led 10-7 in the first half, but mistakes and scrum penalties conceded allowed an improved Waratahs outfit to take a 14-10 lead into the break.
I was hoping the Drua ‘finishers’ could add the sort of impact required to go on with the job and pull off a famous victory in Sydney, but it wasn’t to be.
Tah’s coach Dan McKellar went to his bench early in the second half and it paid dividends. The home team scored three second half tries and went on to win 36-13.
What disappointed me the most, apart from another loss, was the fact that the Drua could only score one try and didn’t make the most of their opportunities.
They didn’t look to be playing with the freedom we’ve come to expect from them. It’s essential to play to a structure and do the basics right, but this week I’d like to see them express themselves a lot more.
Head Coach Glen Jackson mentioned during the week that he’d also like the players to play a bit more ad-lib Rugby. The talent is there, so now it’s important to turn line breaks into tries.
The Hurricanes will be doing that today if their big win over Moana last week is anything to go by. They scored eight tries from 16 line-breaks to blow Moana off the park in Wellington.
Coach Jackson said the mood in his camp is fine despite a winless start to the season. He added that he’s trying not to heap too much pressure on the squad, as it’s early days and there are also another two teams who have yet to have a win.
Canes’ Coach Clarke Laidlaw stated that his squad has been preparing throughout the pre-season for the conditions in Lautoka, so they’ll be ready to perform in front of the passionate Fijian fans.
The Canes will have a red-hot crack when opportunities come along. All Black centre Jordy Barrett was sensational last week and he’s a real dangerman in their attacking arsenal.
I thought Drua centre Isikeli Rabitu thoroughly deserved the team’s Player of the Match award in Sydney, living up to the expectations of his Coach.
But Isi needs to back it up again this week both on attack and defence. It’ll be a great challenge for him marking Barrett who will be playing his 113th match for the Canes. Isi is playing his 15th cap.
The Visitors have made four changes in the starting team including two in the front row. All Blacks Cam Roigard and Billy proctor will start in the backline, so it looks an even better side on paper.
The Drua have been forced to make changes again with both Temo Mayanavanua (knee), Ponipate Loganimasi (hip) and Manasa Mataele (leg) on the injured list.
Lock Mesake Vocevoce gets to start in place of Temo and it’s hoped he can re-produce his great form from last year. It’s great to see last year’s back row sensation Etonia Waga back to full fitness and starting.
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula didn’t have a happy night in Sydney last week, but we know what he’s capable of and I expect him to bounce back to top form with a run under his belt.
Big news for me is the inclusion of Fiji 7s sensation Joji Nasova. The Olympic silver medallist from Ba has been a top try scorer on the World Series and earned a spot in the 2025 Dream Team.
I got to commentate him while he featured for the Hyderabad Heroes in the inaugural RPL, Rugby Premier League in Mumbai last season.
He was all class and I wasn’t surprised that Flying Fijians’ Coach Mick Byrne rushed him to the test squad late last year after he signed a 15s deal with the Drua.
I believe he’s still coming to terms with some of the nuances of ‘back three’ play, but if there’s a try on offer, he’ll take it. Epeli Momo is on the left wing in what will be his first start of the year.
The Drua will have a 6-2 split on the bench as there are players in the run on backline like Frank Lomani and Isikeli Rabitu who can cover other positions.
It’s the same starting front row that was hammered by the Referee last week and the Coaching staff thought they were unfairly penalised at times. They’re hoping one of the World’s best Refs Ben O’Keeffe will see things differently today.
The Drua’s only win over the Hurricanes was in Suva in 2023, one of the 13 victories they’ve had in their last 18 games on Fiji soil.
But after the first up loss to Moana a fortnight ago in Lautoka, the Drua is hoping to avoid ‘back to back’ home losses for the first time since 2022.
The Canes are on a six-game winning streak in regular season matches and have scored 116 points overall in their last two fixtures including the 52 scored against Moana last week.
They are a class outfit with a big mobile pack and exciting backs.The Drua will need to produce their best. If you’re going to the game at Churchill Park make sure you get there early as there’s a curtain raiser featuring the Fijian Drua Development team at 12.30.
Toso Drua Toso.
