Fijian Drua coach Mick Byrne warns of an explosive start against the 2021 winless Waratahs on February 18.
It’s a quick look at just how excited and ready the Drua are for their first outing in Super Rugby.
In fact, there is already excitement building up to when the Trans-Tasman Pacific format kicks off in the next 16 days.
Super Rugby Pacific starts its inaugural season on February 18 with debutantes Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua adding spark to what is arguably one of the world’s best annual entertaining rugby competition.
Byrne believes playing against the Waratahs in Sydney is a great way to start.
“It is a big challenge and we are looking forward to that. The boys will play some exciting rugby,” he predicted.
The squad has been camping in Australia since last November.
With former Nadroga hitman Nemani Nagusa leading an unknown pack consisting of four Olympians, some Flying Fijians and new signings, Byrne said his side was Super Rugby-ready.
Next week, they take on the Melbourne Rebels in a preseason match.
“These boys are geared up for it. There are 10 days for us to recover when we get to Melbourne and it will be a step further in our journey.”
The Fijian Drua team makes its debut against a revamped Waratahs side which has some Wallabies reps such as Michael Hooper and Ned Hanigan, South African Ruan Smith, former NRL and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles wing, centre and fullback Tevita Funa and Australian 7s player and Olympian Dylan Pietsch.
Players with Fijian heritage Mark Nawaqanitawase and Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco are also part of the Waratahs side.
“We look forward to seeing a good crowd of Fijians in Sydney to get behind the boys,” Byrne said as he rallies for fans’ support at the CommBank Stadium in Parramatta.
There is no doubt about the fact that Fijians around the world are excited by the prospect of our first Fijian side competing in Super Rugby.
For many seasons, many have backed sides that had Fijians in them.
We can only wonder about the support the Drua will get when they run out for the first time.
Within the excitement is the fact that we finally have a pathway available for our Flying Fijians, and getting our top players exposed to top level competition on a weekly basis.
This can only mean big things for the national side and for our rugby. This is going to be very different for everyone.
There will be high media scrutiny, and mistakes picked up quickly.
There will be analyses of how our players play, their habits, and what they do under pressure.
Their lives will be public in most instances when the competition starts.
They will develop profiles and many will gain followings by fans.
This is part and parcel of modern sports. The challenge for our Drua is how well we can control all this and maintain focus during the competition.
We say go Fijian Drua!
