Glen Jackson, head coach of the Fijian Drua, said his side anticipated the Blues’ tactics during their clash at Eden Park in Auckland last Saturday.
The Drua were beaten 40-15 in round seven of the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Jackson admitted that despite knowing what the Blues would do — including expected second half adjustments — it remained a tough challenge, especially playing at Eden Park.
“We knew what the Blues were doing. We knew what they would do after half-time, change sort of how they were playing,” Jackson said.
Vern Cotter, head coach of the Blues, said the Fijian Drua were “tenacious” and proved a tough opponent, especially after scoring two late tries in the first half to narrow the deficit to 14-12 in favour of the home side.
At the restart, the Fijian Drua edged ahead 15-14, but the Blues responded by unleashing their fi repower, using dominant rolling mauls and varied attacking play to secure the result.
“It was a tough game … they were tenacious and they stuck in there,” Cotter said.
“They are a tough team to play against and if you don’t get it right they can hurt you.”
The Drua now turn their focus to a clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday at 6.05pm.
