THE Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women are gearing up for their Super Rugby opener against the Waratahs this Friday, determined to learn from their pre-season trial defeat to the Brumbies.
Despite a 33-52 loss in Canberra, head coach Ifereimi Rawaqa remains optimistic about the team’s prospects.
Reflecting on the match, Rawaqa praised his players’ effort and resilience.
“First of all, I would like to acknowledge the effort put in by the girls on Saturday. We all know it’s our first hit out. It’s a tough game, but it’s a good test for us,” he said.
The trial game marked the end of a 10-week training block without any match opposition, providing the much-needed competitive experience.
Rawaqa highlighted the impressive performance of some of the younger players, including rising star Josivini Naihamu, who stood out despite the team’s defeat.
“Some of the young players stood out, it’s a good test for our forwards as well,” Rawaqa noted.
The trial match offered valuable insights into areas that require improvement, and the team is now focused on addressing those weaknesses.
With the lessons learned from the Brumbies clash, the Drua Women are fine-tuning their strategies and working hard to find their rhythm.
“We’ll work on our weaknesses, and we’ll find our place for the rest of the test,” Rawaqa added.
The Waratahs present a formidable challenge, but the Drua Women are motivated to showcase their skills and resilience. As they head into the season opener, they are eager to prove their strength and bounce back stronger.
