AUCKLAND, New Zealand was the home of the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua in the past week as they prepared to meet the Blues at Eden Park and before they flew to Christchurch to face the Crusaders this week.
While there, the team had the opportunity to engage in sporting facilities near their hotel, the Crowne Plaza Hotel by IHG, and training grounds in another part of the City of Sails.
Their time in Auckland following the Blues match in round seven of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition helped them prepare for what became a tough match against the hosts and for the match against the Crusaders tomorrow.
The team flew to Christchurch on the South Island yesterday, according to head coach Glen Jackson.
Jackson reflected on their stay in Auckland during this period in what he described as a preparatory phase to get the boys prepared for what will surely be a tough contest against the Crusaders.
“Obviously, we’re excited to play the last game ever at the Crusaders’ ground so it creates a bit of history and I know the boys are motivated,” Jackson told the media in a virtual press conference on Tuesday.
The Crusaders are the defending champions of the Super Rugby Pacific title and will also play at the Apollo Projects Stadium.
“They’ve done well against the Crusaders in previous years so it’s certainly good to be here in New Zealand and have a bit of a team bonding, well not team bonding, but actually staying over in a hotel and getting everything organised for such a big game.”
Going head-to-head against the defending champions, both teams have met five times and the record stands in favour of the home side with a 3-2 win difference.
The Drua face the Crusaders at 6.05pm tomorrow.
