Inia Tabuavou, a player for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua, emphasized the need for improvement in ball possession and finishing as they gear up for their Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific round nine match against the Highlanders. Following a disappointing 14-31 loss to the Crusaders at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, Tabuavou identified the retention of possession up to the try line as a critical area for the team to enhance. He mentioned that while the Drua held onto the ball, they failed to capitalize on opportunities to score.
Tabuavou, who started in the match against the Crusaders, acknowledged the team’s struggles, stating, “We have the possession but we’re not finishing,” adding that they made a strong start in the second half but failed to convert it into points. This sentiment resonates with earlier discussions by Drua co-captain Frank Lomani, who also highlighted the importance of ball retention and execution after a previous defeat, urging the team to adhere to their game plan to become more competitive.
Statistically, the Drua are currently at the bottom of the league table with 807 carries, trailing the Crusaders’ tally of 905. Furthermore, the Drua have only gained 2,919 meters on the field compared to the Crusaders’ impressive 3,255 meters. This data reveals the challenges the team faces in effectively progressing the ball during matches.
Echoing Tabuavou’s concerns, co-captain Tevita Ikanivere has pointed to missed opportunities and the critical execution of set-pieces as areas for improvement. The teammates are committed to learning from their experiences, and the team has displayed resilience despite a challenging season in Super Rugby Pacific.
Looking forward to their upcoming clash against the Highlanders at 7:05 PM this Saturday, the Drua are eager to apply the lessons learned from recent matches, particularly their encounter with the Crusaders. Fans and players alike are hopeful that their dedication, combined with the emergence of young talents, will translate into success on the field. The encouragement from the community plays a vital role in driving the team towards achieving their first victory of the season amid a competitive environment.
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