Swire Shipping Fijian Drua captain Tevita Ikanivere said they were beaten in the rucks and in the middle by the Highlanders in round 14 of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific.
The Drua away game jinx continued in Dunedin as they went down 3-39 to the Highlanders yesterday.
Mick Byrne’s men while they had some glimpses of hope, just couldn’t find their feet as they were placed under pressure by the Highlanders rushing yet spot on defence.
As a result the Drua conceded 23 turnovers in the ruck with the Highlanders making 12 clean breaks in the 80-minute match.
“We wanted to come here and get the win but then we didn’t get our flow on because the Highlanders did a good job of disrupting our rucks, dominated our middles and got on the front foot from there,” captain Ikanivere stated in the post-match interview.
Drua stay in the eighth despite the result but their hopes of booking a place in the playoffs now hangs in the balance.
“Its going to be a good game next week (this week), we’ll just learn from our mistakes in our rucks and middles so that we can beat the Rebels,” Ikanivere added.
The Fijian franchise will need to win in Lautoka on Saturday.
Ikanivere also acknowledged fans who came in the charter flight for their support and apologised that they could not get the results needed. The team arrived in the country last night.
Highlanders 39: Jona Nareki 2, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Nikora Broughton tries; Sam Gilbert 4 conversions, 2 penalties
Drua 3: Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula pen penalty
Halftime: 18-0
