The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua are set to face the Blues this Friday at 7:05 PM at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, eager to break their losing streak against this formidable opponent. The match follows a thrilling victory for the Drua, who edged out the Queensland Reds 36-33 last Saturday, thanks to a last-minute try from Isikeli Rabitu.
Head coach Glen Jackson expressed optimism as his team prepares for the clash, emphasizing that last season’s losses to the Blues are behind them. “Last year is last year,” Jackson remarked, noting that the Drua faced the Blues with a young team in their first match and subsequently in a quarter-final. This year, however, they are determined to leverage their home-ground advantage in the remaining rounds of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition.
The Drua have historically struggled against the Blues, suffering four defeats in their prior meetings, with the Blues winning by an average of 22 points. Nevertheless, Jackson is excited to bring back consecutive games on home soil, where the energy and support of their passionate fans can significantly impact performance. “It’s just great to be home… we want to make the crowd enjoy our performance,” he stated.
With three home games left in the season, the Drua are keen to build on their recent win and regain momentum. Jackson believes that being settled in their own environment will aid in recovery and preparation, increasing their chances of success.
The anticipation is building not just amongst the players but throughout the community, as this match symbolizes a critical juncture in their season. The Drua see this as an opportunity to inspire their supporters and potentially turn their fortunes around in the competitive landscape of Fijian rugby. With hope and determination, they aim to seize this moment and transform previous setbacks into renewed success.
Leave a comment