The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua suffered a heavy defeat against the Western Force, losing 15-52 during their match at HBF Park in Perth, Australia. Head coach Glen Jackson expressed his disappointment, revealing that the extended time spent in Australia disrupted the team’s preparation. He acknowledged that what was meant to be an intensive training period turned into what felt more like a holiday, contributing to a lack of focus from the players.
Jackson noted, “The boys weren’t focused enough on rugby during this time,” pointing out the necessity for the team to enhance their preparation skills while away from home. Their travel schedule, following a previous loss to the ACT Brumbies, appeared to have negatively impacted their mental state for the game, ultimately leading to this significant loss.
Discipline was another critical issue for the Drua, as they struggled to make the most of their offensive chances. While players like Taniela Rakuro and Etonia Waqa made scoring contributions in the second half, it was evident that the Western Force’s dominance was too much to overcome. This defeat marks one of the worst in the Drua’s Super Rugby history.
As they take a bye week, the Drua plans to regroup and reassess their strategies before facing the strong Crusaders on April 5 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Jackson remains optimistic that through rigorous training and the unwavering support of their fans, the team can make significant adjustments and regain their competitive edge.
This testing period might serve as a vital wake-up call for the Drua, compelling them to return to fundamentals and leverage their strengths as they prepare for the remaining matches of the season. Support from fans is crucial, and there is hope that the Drua will transform their home advantage into success on the field, reigniting their passion and competitive spirit in the Super Rugby Pacific.
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