SWIRE Shipping Fijian Drua captain Meli Derenalagi says they are prepared for the battle upfront against Pacific rivals Moana Pasifika in round 10 of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific clash at Churchill Park in Lautoka today.
The 25-year-old made the comment following the captain’s run at the Fiji Airways field in Nadi yesterday.
“Our aim is to win and it will be the battle of the year for us. It is a important game for us with regards to our chances of qualifying for the quarters,” he said.
Derenalagi added the boys worked hard throughout the week in preparation for the all-important clash and rated the Moana Pasifika side highly.
“We know it will not be easy and the boys have done the hard yards throughout the week. We know it will be a very physical battle.
“They (Moana Pasifika) will go straight to the front door and the boys and coaches have been preparing well to contest every ruck in the match.”
He said they were hugely disappointed with their earlier 36-39 loss to Moana Pasifika this season and were looking to turn the tables today.
“The boys were frustrated with the loss especially because we did not do what the coaches told us to do.
“But now we know how they play and we have been preparing well to counter them this weekend.”
He said they had “tightened” all lose screws from the loss to the Hurricanes last week and would be going all out for today’s game.
The match kicks off at 2.05pm.
