ERRORS proved costly for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua as they went down 22-42 to the Chiefs in their Super Round clash of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition in Christchurch, New Zealand last night.
Co-captain Temo Mayanavanua admitted their performance was not consistent and mentioned there would be a lot to work on.
“I think we weren’t consistent enough,” Mayanavanua said in a post-match interview.
“We started off well, but there are a couple of areas that we could be better on.”
The match saw the Fijian Drua and the Chiefs contest the scales of victory equally, until fullback Ilaisa Droasese failed to clear a kick from his own in-goal area.
His attempt to grubber the ball proved costly as the Chiefs bagged an easy try from it.
Jared Profitt touched down the try to the surprise of many present at One NZ Stadium and those watching from their homes in Fiji.
Chiefs captain Tupou Vaa’i and his team saw a gap through that opportunity and extended their lead further as the match went into the breather.
Mayanavanua also commended the impact players for coming off the bench in the second half to help in extending their side of the scoresheet further from their half-time deficit.
“It is what we want, for the bench to come and bring impact and stuff, and I thought they did really well,” he mentioned.
It was also Maika Tuitubou’s debut, initially named in the starting line-up and featured prominently in the match, helping the team break through the Chiefs wall of defence, whose performance was commended by Mayanavanua.
“I thought our debutant Maika (Tuitubou) was unreal today.”
In sharing his sentiments on the debutant, he added the team was “gutted” they were unable to secure the win for him on his debut.
Meanwhile, as the team returns to Fiji, Mayanavanua stated the team would continue sticking together and redirect their focus to their clash against the Highlanders at home this Saturday.
The Drua meet them at the Four R Stadium, Govind Park in Ba at 4pm.
