Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson has emphasised the importance of tactical precision if they want to secure their first win of the season, against the Chiefs at Churchill Park in Lautoka this Saturday.
With three consecutive losses, the Drua have been competitive but struggled in the final minutes of matches. Jackson believes on the need for sharper execution, particularly in key areas such as set pieces and defensive structure.
“We’re scoring plenty of points, but our line-out delivery and scrums need to be stronger.
“The Chiefs have been dangerous off first-phase attack, scoring a lot of tries from their line-out. We need to ensure they don’t get easy opportunities inside our 22,” Jackson said.
A major point of focus for the Drua is discipline and managing turnovers. The Chiefs lead the competition in tries scored from turnovers, an area where the Drua also excel. However, Jackson stressed that careless handling or unnecessary penalties could prove costly.
“We’ve worked hard on limiting penalties that allow teams to kick into our 22,” he added.
“The Chiefs are lethal in those situations. If we don’t look after the ball, they will punish us.”
With the return of key players such as Selestino Ravutaumada, the Drua’s backline depth is stronger, but Jackson is placing equal importance on defensive resilience.
“Our midfield duo, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Inia Tabuavou, have been outstanding in defence. They’ll be crucial in containing the Chiefs’ powerful centre combination,” he said.
Playing in Lautoka, where conditions can be unpredictable, could also work in the Drua’s favour.
“We know Churchill Park is a different battlefield.
“It’s not always a perfect track, and the heat, humidity, and passionate crowd create an atmosphere that visiting teams aren’t used to. If we execute well and stay disciplined, we can turn that into an advantage.”
With their tactical adjustments in place, the Drua will aim to deliver a complete performance that not only thrills the home crowd but also secures a much-needed victory.
The match kicks off at 3.35pm.
