ENABLING all players to have time on the field has been a vital element in helping the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua clinch their 28-24 victory over the Gallagher Chiefs yesterday.
Head coach Glen Jackson made reference to this when asked about the impact made by players coming off the bench.
“We had to talk about that, to finish these games, we needed more from our bench and I thought they were very good today,” Jackson mentioned.
“Look, I think the great thing is, what we’ve sort of tried to do in the first three weeks is the rotation of the squad and just finding out where everyone’s at and everyone’s had good minutes.”
He mentioned players Elia Canakaivata and Motikiai Murray as examples of this strategy.
“Elia had last week off. I thought he came on and was massive,” he highlighted.
“I thought Motikiai Murray was strong in his carries and defence.”
The Drua needed a win in yesterday’s match, and following that, they are now in the seventh position on the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific standings after round four.
As for the Chiefs, head coach Clayton McMillan stated the match for them went as expected.
“We got everything we expected. I think every team has a good awareness now of what you’re likely to encounter when you come here, so no surprises, but everything we expect, what’s the future going to look like for you in the season, for our season,” McMillan mentioned.
“This is just a good wake up call that we’re far from the finished product.”
“We just have to take it on the chin, regroup and go again.”
Meanwhile, as the two teams advance onward in future rounds, the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women face the Brumbies Women team at Churchill Park in Lautoka next Saturday.
