Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson expressed disappointment following his team’s narrow 34-38 defeat to the Hurricanes. Despite the effort displayed by the Drua, critical moments in the match played a pivotal role in the outcome.
Jackson praised his players for their commitment but also conveyed frustration regarding a few incidents that disrupted their flow, particularly Caleb Muntz leaving the field for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA). Jackson noted how this affected team dynamics and prevented the Drua from fielding their preferred lineup. “We expect to have 15 players on the field, and exiting due to an HIA can really shift the game’s momentum,” he remarked.
The coach also voiced concerns about head injuries not being adequately penalized, stressing the importance of player welfare and discipline. “We ask a lot from our players, and I feel sometimes they’re not well looked after,” he stated.
Despite the loss, Jackson highlighted the team’s strong discipline and scrum performance, especially given that 13 changes were made to the starting lineup. “Our discipline was fantastic, and we came away with two points from games against the Brumbies and Hurricanes, which is commendable,” he reflected.
Looking ahead, Jackson maintained an optimistic outlook. He believes in the squad’s potential and their dedication leading into their next match against the Waratahs. “We’ve got a great squad who believe in what they’re doing. They’ve trained extremely hard, and this tournament will be tough, but we’re excited,” he concluded.
This sentiment echoes the Drua’s previous performance against the Brumbies, where despite a similar narrow defeat, the team’s resilience and commitment indicated positive growth for the season ahead. The team showed potential, with young talents making an impact and old hands providing leadership. As the Drua gears up for their next fixture, fans remain hopeful that they’ll convert past lessons into a successful performance on the field.
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