THE McDonald’s Fijian Drua Women are embracing the challenge ahead as they prepare for a must-win final round clash against the Queensland Reds in the Super W competition at Ballymore Stadium tomorrow.
A victory would strengthen the Drua’s hopes of securing a home semi-final, and head coach Mike Legge says the squad is in high spirits ahead of the important encounter.
“The girls are excited about what’s coming up, our travel to Brisbane and our game against the Reds this weekend.
“It’s a crucial game for us, so they’re excited about the challenge that lies ahead and ready to go,” Legge said.
Legge confirmed the side has no major injury concerns, giving the coaching staff confidence heading into one of the biggest matches of the season.
He expects the Reds to present a stern physical challenge, particularly through their powerful forward pack led by Eva Karpani and Tania Naden.
“We expect them to be really physical up front. They have a very formidable forward pack with some big ball runners.
“We’ve reviewed their games and expect a few variations, but they’ll bring a direct and physical style of play. We’ve worked on ways to counter that while continuing to play our style of rugby,” he added.
Legge also reserved special praise for midfielder Josivini Naihamu, who has impressed throughout the campaign.
“Josie is becoming a world-class midfielder who everyone is starting to see the potential of. I still think she has a lot more to offer, so we haven’t seen the best of her yet.
“She’s been brilliant and what she does is bring the team with her. She’s a real gem in our side and I can’t wait to see her play again this weekend.”
With the opportunity to earn home-ground advantage in the semi-finals on the line, Legge said the squad has embraced the pressure.
“The mood is really good. The girls know the importance of this game, but they’re really excited about the challenge.
“They came back into camp on Monday in really good spirits and training has been excellent. We know what’s at stake and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
