The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua are gearing up for their fourth season in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific, a challenging league that has expanded to 11 teams this year, with only the top six advancing to the playoffs. The Drua, despite their rapid rise since joining the competition, have consistently finished in the top eight but have yet to surpass a seventh-place finish.
To succeed this season, the Drua will need to improve their away performance, having struggled to secure wins outside of their strongholds in Lautoka and Suva. Their season opener at home against the Brumbies presents a crucial opportunity. The Brumbies are among the top Australian teams and have a reputation for strong performances, making this encounter especially significant for the Drua as they look to start their campaign positively.
The Drua have faced a tough pre-season with a focus on enhancing their breakdown and set-piece defense, which has seen them achieve their best fitness testing results in four years. Coach Glen Jackson has opted for a locally focused preparation, including trials against overseas teams to maintain team cohesion.
With debutants among the squad and a solid team structure, the Drua aim to secure points early in the season before a challenging stretch of away games. The upcoming matches against established franchises like the Brumbies and Chiefs will be key in determining their standings, and the Drua are determined to leverage their home advantage.
As the Drua prepare to kick off against the Brumbies, the excitement is palpable among fans, with aspirations high for the team to claim their first win against an Australian franchise on home soil. They aim to establish a positive trend and showcase their growing prowess in the league.
This upcoming season is not just about the points but also about building upon past successes and establishing a reputation that reflects the team’s hard work and resilience. Fans are hopeful that the Drua will rise to the occasion, fostering a strong home-field advantage and improving their track record against top teams. Toso Drua toso!
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