15 GAMES down and now just one to go.
Sadly, the Fijian Drua won’t be contesting the play-offs, and tonight’s clash with the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane will bring down the curtain on their fifth season.
Unfortunately, they didn’t break their drought in Perth last week, but they almost pulled off an upset over the Western Force.
Drua head coach Glen Jackson – and many others, including myself – believe they deserved to win the game.
What looked like a forward pass in the lead-up to Zac Lomax’s try that sealed the win for the Force was ruled legal.
It’s not the first time a decision has gone against the Drua and Jackson couldn’t hide his disappointment.
Captain Temo Mayanavanua was more diplomatic after the game saying officials are only human and they too can make mistakes.
He acknowledged that the Drua failed to capitalise on some of their own scoring opportunities, so they only have themselves to blame.
It was their best effort in Western Australia. In the four previous matches against the Force at their home ground, the Drua lost by an average of 24 points.
They’d conceded 100 points in the two previous games in Perth while scoring just 15, so to lose 19-15 last Saturday was a huge improvement. It should give them some confidence as they prepare to face the Reds tonight.
They’re looking for their first ever win in Brisbane. They want to finish the season on a high and send coach Jackson out as a winner after his five years with the Club, the last two as head coach.
The Reds broke a run of three straight losses in Fiji when they won in Lautoka in Week Six, but can the Drua finally get a win in Brisbane after three previous defeats.
Just five and three points separated the two sides at Suncorp Stadium in the first two games in this match-up, but the Reds hammered the Drua 52-7 in the final match of the regular season last year. I don’t think we’ll see a repeat of that this time.
The Reds have already clinched a place in the play-offs, but they can jump from 6th to 4th if they win this week and both the Crusaders and Brumbies lose.
If they stay in sixth place, they’ll face the red-hot Hurricanes in Wellington in the first week of the play-offs and that won’t be easy.
After being in the driver’s seat last week, the Reds lost their way and allowed Moana to fight back and take the lead, before a late converted try sealed the win and spoiled Moana’s last home game.
The Reds welcome a couple of Wallabies Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Aidan Ross back to their pack after missing last week. Three Fijians are in the match-day 23 with Seru Uru starting in the 6 jersey and Ben Volavola and Filipo Daungunu are on the bench.
Outgoing Drua coach Glen Jackson said he was very emotional when announcing his final team. He’s made just one change in the pack with Elia Canakaivata starting in his final game for the Club before heading to the UK.
It’s a new-look backline with Samusamuvodre returning at 13, Rabitu at 12 and Armstrong-Ravula at 15.
It’s a 6-2 split on the bench with Kuruvoli and Vakatawa covering backline positions. Good to see former Reds’ prop Peni Ravai on the bench and he’ll enjoy taking on his former teammates.
It’s a special milestone for hooker Zuriel Togiatama who becomes the club’s sixth player to bring up 50 games. He was so excited to score his first ever try for the side last week in Perth.
As this is my final column for the year, I’d like to wish coach Glen Jackson all the best. He’s been a great asset over the Club’s first five years and believes the Drua can go on to bigger and better things in what he described as a very tough competition.
Personally, I’ve really enjoyed commentating another season of home games and the highlight was the win over the Brumbies in the first-ever game in Ba. 10 tries were scored overall and after leading by eight at the break, the Drua went on with the job to win by 15.
The best moments of the season so far were the celebrations on field and around the stadium when the Drua clinched their first ever away win over the Brumbies in Canberra, ending a long run of losses on the road.
The biggest disappointment was the loss to Moana Pasifika in Round One in Lautoka which ended a nine-game winning streak at Churchill Park. It turned out to be Moana’s only win so far.
The official Drua Awards will be presented next week, but I’d like to single out Kitione Salawa who’s been Mr Consistency. Elia Canakaivata has had another good year as well and he’ll be missed next year.
A special mention also to Virimi Vakatawa, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Isoa Nasilasila, Isikeli Rabitu (no more yellow cards please), and the first-choice front row before injuries hit, Haereiti Hetet, Zuriel Togiatama and Mesake Doge.
Signing the experienced pair of Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Temo Mayanavanua paid dividends, with Temo turning out to be a very inspirational co-captain with Frank Lomani, on and off the field.
The best news of the season was this week’s announcement that Swire Shipping has expanded its major sponsorship of the Fijian Drua. The company led by Alex Pattison in the Pacific has been there since day one, and the Club cannot operate without loyal sponsors.
So best of luck to the Drua against the Reds in Brisbane tonight.
While half a dozen players will be moving on after the season, I look forward to commentating more Fijian development players who’ll be joining the Club next season.
The show must go on.
Toso Drua toso.
