MCDONALD’S Fiji Drua Women number eight Sulita Waisega dedicated her inspiring 80-minute performance to her late grandfather after helping her side secure a place in the Super W grand final.
The Fijian Drua Women defeated Queensland Reds Women 31-5 at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday.
For Waisega, the victory was also of emotional significance following the recent passing of her grandfather.
Despite injury setbacks faced this season, she found the strength to play the full 80 minutes in front of the vocal and supportive home crowd.
“I think this was one of the first games for me this year to play the full 80 minutes again because I’ve been going through a lot of injuries,” she said. “But with the loss of my grandpa, I knew I needed to give my extra one per cent. I did it for him, and of course because of God who got me through to day.”
Waisega featured on the pitch for the entire 80-minute spell as the Drua maintained an upper hand and kept a firm grip on a determined Reds outfit to keep their title hopes alive.
The powerful loose forward said the team expected a fierce contest and spent the week preparing for the challenge.
“We knew it was going to be a hard battle,” Waisega said. “We knew the Reds prepared well, so we had a whole week of preparation and worked on the things we had to be better on. I think we did that well in the first half and then finished it off in the second half to get the win. I’m very happy and grateful.”
While celebrating the semi-final triumph, Waisega stressed the team’s focus has already shifted to the championship decider.
“We’re not finished yet. “We have one more job to do. Our first focus will be the grand final. We’ll regroup again and work hard to get the win next weekend.”
The backrower also reflected on her own performance, admitting there were areas she wanted to improve be fore the final.
“I think maybe some 50-50s I gave away during the first half that I shouldn’t have but that’s a learning for me and I’ll try to do better in the final.”
Waisega and the Drua will now turn their attention to this week’s home grand final.
The Fijian Drua Women will face the Waratahs Women at 1pm this Saturday at the Four R Stadium, Govind Park in Ba.
The Drua Women had lost to the Waratahs in round one away from home.
