Well, I certainly didn’t expect to see what unfolded in Melbourne last week, especially when the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua were leading the Rebels 20-8 in the first half.
Another loss on the road came as no big surprise because the stats show that the Drua struggle to win away from the homeland.
But the three cards and multiple penalties conceded by the Drua hurt, and I just hope the squad can put it all behind them and get back on track.
Better discipline has been the major ‘work on’, but last week showed what happens when things get out of hand.
The red cards to Frank Lomani and Jone Koroiduadua must never be repeated, but the major damage on the scoreboard was done earlier when Leone Rotuisolia copped a yellow card.
I thought he was unlucky to find himself in that situation as there were mitigating factors, but any contact to the opponent’s head is always going to be a yellow.
The Rebels piled on the points when they were a man up and there was a huge momentum shift away from the Drua. This week’s bye has come at a good time.
It gives everyone a chance to move on from what happened in Melbourne and set themselves for the back half of the regular season.
The Drua are still in the top eight and with four more home games against the Hurricanes, Moana, Reds and Rebels, they’re still in with a chance of making the play-offs for the second straight year.
They will all be tough opponents and the Drua also have to play the Brumbies, Force, and Highlanders on the road.
There is no easy game in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific and Mick Byrne’s men will be without Frank Lomani for six games, so Simione Kuruvoli and Peni Matawalu will be called upon to step up.
So, at the halfway stage of the tournament it’s three wins from seven games but it should have been much better.
The narrow loss to Moana in Melbourne and the disappointment against the Rebels also at AAMI Park might come back to bite the Drua.
The obvious highlights so far have been the three home wins.
They beat the defending champs the Crusaders for the second year in a row. They beat the Waratahs for the first time and the Force for the first time as well.
Iosefo Masi has been the standout again with six tries and a total of 15 in Drua colours in just a season and a half.
In fact, the backs have been very competitive. Up until last week, Frank Lomani was being hailed as the form scrumhalf in the competition.
Young flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula would be a contender for the tournament Rookie of the Year.
Playing outside Lomani has helped him develop and I hope he can now step up and take even more responsibility.
Apisalome Vota has combined well with Masi in the centres and the back three of Selestino Ravutaumada, Epeli Momo and Ilaisa Droasese always pose a threat to the opposition.
Lock Mesake Vocevoce is another contender for Rookie of the Year. Leone Rotuisolia’s work rate has been impressive and there’s still Isoa Nasilasila to come back from injury.
The preferred front row appears to be Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere and Mesake Doge and rightly so.
There’s good depth in the back row with Meli Derenalagi, Kitione Salawa, Etonia Waqa, Elia Canakaivata and Vilive Miramira all contributing and putting pressure on each other to perform.
I look forward to getting back to Suva for the Hurricanes clash next week and hopefully it’ll be a double header with the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women playing a home semi-final.
We’ll know more tomorrow night after the Drua play the Rebels in Melbourne.
The Drua only have to come away with a bonus point to secure second spot and a home semi, but head coach Moses Rauluni won’t be happy unless the Drua keep winning.
The Rebels women might be winless, but they have been competitive at times and the Drua can’t afford to be complacent.
After the hiccup against the Waratahs in Lautoka, the Drua have been improving week to week and with more game fitness this week, they should be ready to give their title defence a real crack in the play-offs.
I was impressed by rookie winger Atelaite Buna and flanker Sulita Waisega in last week’s 20-7 victory over the Brumbies in Canberra.
But it was a good over all team effort and they should be able to handle the Rebels tomorrow night and hit top form in time for the play-offs.
Toso Drua.
