The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua experienced a significant setback in their latest match against the Highlanders in New Zealand, suffering a defeat with a score of 43-20. Despite the loss, head coach Glen Jackson expressed pride in his team’s efforts during the game, highlighting the dedication shown by his players as they navigate the challenges of the 2025 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season.
The Highlanders quickly established dominance, with debutant Taniela Filimone scoring two early tries. Although the Drua managed to rally back with tries from Rabitu, Kuruvoli, and Loganimasi in the second half, their performance was hindered by handling errors and a costly yellow card, allowing the Highlanders to pull away significantly as the match progressed. The Highlanders solidified their victory by scoring twice in the final minutes, sealing the Drua’s seventh loss of the season, leaving them at the bottom of the league standings.
Glen Jackson acknowledged the challenges faced by the team, particularly in their handling game, stating, “They gave everything out here tonight, certainly in terms of how we want to play.” He emphasized that while the team is struggling, these are valuable learning experiences as they seek to improve and build momentum moving forward.
Despite this challenging period, the Drua are set to host the Waratahs at Churchill Park in Lautoka in their next match, offering them another opportunity to turn their fortunes around. The local fans, known for their unwavering support, will hope for a revitalized performance as the Drua aim to recover and find their first win of the season.
The match underscores the Drua’s ongoing journey in the Super Rugby competition, where resilience and development remain crucial as they strive to overcome their current obstacles. Jackson and his squad are focused on learning from past performances, suggesting there is hope for improvement as the season progresses.
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