It’s my fifth year of commentating the Fijian Drua home games and one of the most interesting things during my involvement is the fact that you never know what will happen next. Anything can happen.
Take the last week or so. A cyclone caused blackouts and flooding in many regions. The fans needed something to smile about and the Drua delivered. They bounced back from two losses in New Zealand to upset the Western Force in Lautoka.
Earlier this week Head Coach Glen Jackson announced that he’d be moving on at the end of the season. Then the news broke that Assistant Coach Tim Sampson has been hired by Edinburgh in Scotland. All that on the back of Mick Bryne’s recent departure from the Flying Fijians’ coaching role.
There is never a shortage of headlines. Let’s hope that after all the recent drama the Drua can surprise us with a drought breaking win on the road when they play the Brumbies in a chilly Canberra tonight. Won’t that make a great headline.
Glen Jackson wanted to confirm his decision for not seeking a third-year option early in the week, so the players could get on with their preparation for Canberra. His six years in Fiji Rugby will come to an end in June.
He said it was the right time to announce his intentions and give someone else a go next season. The decision was for his family who have been very supportive, and it’s time to give something back to them.
He’s given everything to the Drua and Fiji Rugby, but he knows he’ll be judged on results, and whether he can take the team to the play-offs after missing out in his first season as head coach last year. Last week he told the players they needed to win five of their last seven. One down, four to go.
It was a game of two halves against the Force in Lautoka. To come back from conceding an early try and lead 19-7 at the break was fantastic. Two of their three first half’ tries were straight out of the Drua’s entertainment booklet.
They were absolute crackers finished off by Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula and Isikeli Rabitu, and veteran centre Virimi Vakatawa turned back the clock with some lovely touches. His four offloads were the most by any Drua player in one game across the last two seasons.
The second half wasn’t as good, and the Force ran in three tries to one. Fortunately for the Drua, the Force kickers missed all three conversions and a long-range penalty. Drua debutant Isikeli Basiyalo’s intercept try followed by a gutsy defensive effort late in the match helped the Drua to scrape home 24-22 and keep the Force winless in Fiji.
Coach Jackson has warned his players that they have to go the full 80 against a side like the Brumbies which will be seeking revenge after losing to the Drua in Ba last month. They’ve never lost to the Drua in Canberra and they ‘ll want to keep it that way as they try to cement a top four spot.
Despite beating four of the kiwi teams so far this year, Stephen Larkham’s men have lost three of the past five games at home, so it hasn’t been a fortress for them this season. Four of their last six games overall have been decided by four points or less, so they’ve been doing it the hard way.
But if the Drua are to break their run of 26 straight losses away from Fiji, including 14 straight on Aussie soil, they’ll need to really improve. They need a much better kicking game with a good chase, and they need to defend the Brumbies’ driving maul which is widely regarded as one of the best in Super Rugby Pacific.
The Brumbies’ have named a strong squad with up to a dozen Wallabies lining up, including classy fullback Tom Wright who makes his long-awaited return from injury sustained against the British and Irish Lions last year. The Drua can’t afford to give him any space and that’s why Coach Jackson wants a good kick-chase.
In form back rower Charlie Cale has succumbed to a shoulder injury but his replacement Tuaina Tali Tualima, Luke Reimer and Rob Valetini will be a real handful at the breakdown.
Fijian Valetini will cherish the opportunity to play against his brother Kemu when he comes off the bench for the Drua.
Who will get the bragging rights with the rest of Valetini family in the stand?
I’m thrilled for Drua prop Samuela Tawake who gets to run on for his 50th appearance for the Club.
The likeable tighthead will become just the third Drua player to reach 50 caps, a great achievement for Samuela who debuted in the very first Drua game in 2022.
Number 8 Isoa Tuwai will need to step up in the absence of Elia Canakaivata who’s been one of the best ball carriers in the competition this year. He has a sore hip, and they didn’t want to risk it.
It’s great to see co-captain Temo Mayanavanua back from his knee injury. He’s been missed for six weeks after making a huge impression early in the season.
Let’s hope he can lead his team to their first win on Aussie soil since they beat the Rebels on the Sunshine Coast back in year one, 2022.
They’re also looking for ‘consecutive wins over the Brumbies for the first time ever.
Toso Drua toso.
