Experienced prop Mesake Doge believes the changes in their line-up is not an excuse for a loss.
The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua missed the services of flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, scrumhalf Frank Lomani and prop Jone Koroiduadua in round nine of Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific with the latter two to also sit out this weekend’s clash against Moana Pasifika due to suspension.
Armstrong-Ravula was released to be with his family following the death of a loved one and is not clear whether he will be available for Saturday’s match in Lautoka.
“Yes, a lot of changes were made to that line-up but, I won’t take that as an excuse, the boys have been training well enough to know what to do,” Doge stated.
Doge stressed the importance of game management particularly in a situation where they have the number advantage to score tries.
“We came to win against Hurricanes but as you saw there are certain areas in our game that we really need to improve on, we are growing as a team but, at times we are exposed especially in the second half.
“We got two yellow cards, and we could’ve made use of it but, I think we got a lot of white line fever and a lot of pressure in trying to score.
If we can manage to keep the ball more, build more pressure than those tries would come eventually but, that’s a learning curve for us as a team.”
The competition can both be beautiful and cruel but its a learning experience nonetheless for the flourishing Fijian club.
“It’s not easy especially when you’re that young, getting exposed to these type of pressure at a very young age. Isikeli Rabitu and I are roomies so, I can see that he is a bit hard on himself sometimes, I’m just talking to him slowly as a young player, you live and learn, it was a learning curve for him and I know he will get better, he has the talent, and he just needs the experience to push him over,” he added.
Doge is expected to make the match-day squad in the match against Moana Pasifika on Saturday, 2.05pm at Churchill Park.
