SWATTING the flies of negative criticism has always been part of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and the team understands such comments stem from the deep-rooted passion its supporters and nay-sayers have for Fiji’s first Super Rugby team.
That’s what co-captain Frank Lomani emphasised after their hard-fought 25-20 win over the Hurricanes at Churchill Park in Lautoka last Saturday.
Lomani was asked how the team would address those who doubted their progression in the 2026 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition, in light of two losses recorded prior.
“We don’t really care about what people say,” Lomani said, referring to the negative comments passed by the team’s critics.
“Those are just outside noise; they say stuff because they care about this team and what happens in this team.”
The team reclaimed the park known as their fortress after the ‘Canes led 17-13 at half-time, staging a heroic effort to seize dominance from the visitors who thrived in the rainy weather conditions hitting Fiji over the weekend due to the onset of Tropical Cyclone Urmil.
Lomani added the comments uttered by so many failed to deter their spirits as they were aware of how they represented the nation and the effort exerted to put their best foot forward.
“It doesn’t change the way we turn up every day. When we turn up, we train, we still represent Fiji,” he emphasised.
“To answer your question – we don’t really care what people say (negatively)!
“We just play to our game plan and we execute it; that’s what it looks like when we do exactly what we say we’re going to do.”
The team goes on a bye this week and will face the ACT Brumbies next Saturday at 3.30pm, with the 4R Stadium, Govind Park in Ba hosting a Super Rugby Pacific match for the first time.
