QUEENSLAND Reds Women’s head coach Andrew Fraser says his side will need to produce its best performance of the season if it hopes to end the McDonald’s Fijian Drua Women’s dream run in today’s Super Rugby Women semi-final at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
While the on-field battle will be demanding, Fraser expects the atmosphere at Churchill Park to add another dimension.
“I think the crowd will be a challenge for us. They’ll be loud and noisy, but that’s part of playing in Fiji,” Fraser said.
Fraser acknowledged the challenge awaiting his team as they prepare to face the Drua in their first-ever home semi-final, describing the Fijian side as one of the toughest opponents in the competition.
The Reds arrive in Fiji after retaining the same squad that defeated the NSW Waratahs at Leichhardt Oval.
Fraser is confident in the consistency of his side but aware they face a much sterner test in Lautoka.
“We’ve kept the same squad after a good win against the New South Wales Waratahs, but we have to be at our best to beat the Drua at Lautoka,” Fraser said.
The Reds suffered a scare when the two sides met during the regular season at Ballymore, where the Drua pushed them all the way before falling narrowly. Fraser said his team had taken valuable lessons from that encounter.
“The Drua have been a very good counterpart for us over the last couple of years and they were very good against us in Ballymore a couple of weeks ago. We have to learn our lessons from that game and hopefully give a good account of ourselves this Saturday.”
Fraser reserved special praise for the Drua’s midfield, singling out inside centre Josivini Naihamu as one of the world’s best players in her position.
“Josivini Naihamu is one of the best centres in the world. We’re very respectful of their 10 and 12 combination, and Carletta Yee has been playing very well as well.”
He said the Reds were preparing for a complete team effort from the home side.
“There’s a lot of positives with the Drua team. From one to 15 they’re very strong, and with the support of their home crowd, it’s going to be a huge challenge.”
The winner of today’s clash will advance to the 2026 Super Rugby Women grand final.
The semi-final match today will kick off at 1pm.
