THE Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head into another tough away assignment this Sunday with quiet confidence as they prepare to face the Chiefs in Round 11 of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Fresh from their historic upset win over the ACT Brumbies in Canberra, head coach Glen Jackson believes the key battle this week will again be at the breakdown.
Jackson said both teams pride themselves on physicality in that area, and whichever side gains dominance there is likely to control the outcome of the match.
“The breakdown is going to be massive for both teams. It has been throughout the competition.
“I think whoever wins the breakdown usually wins the game. The Chiefs are very strong there, especially with their loose forwards, and they’ve got quality players right across the park,” he said.
Despite a demanding travel schedule returning from Canberra to Sydney, then briefly to Fiji before heading to Christchurch, Jackson said the squad remains focused and well-prepared.
“There’s a bit of quiet confidence around the group. We’ve now got experienced players who understand how we want to play and know our DNA.”
The Drua’s breakthrough away win last week has also lifted belief within the squad, particularly against a Brumbies side known for its dominant home record.
Jackson said the result was not a surprise to the team, but rather a reflection of growing maturity and experience within the squad.
“We’ve got players now with over 50 caps in Super Rugby. We don’t talk too much about getting an away win, we believe it will come.
“That win showed the boys they can perform overseas, especially when you look back at how well they played against the Brumbies in Ba earlier this season,” he added.
He added that senior players such as Virimi Vakatawa, Manasa Mataele and captain Temo Mayanavanua continue to play a key role in guiding the team, particularly in high-pressure away fixtures.
With momentum building and confidence growing, the Drua will be aiming to back up last week’s performance with another strong showing against one of the competition’s top sides.
