The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua are focusing on improving their discipline as they prepare for their upcoming match against the NSW Waratahs in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific next week. This need for improvement was emphasized by co-captain Temo Mayanavanua following their recent 26-40 defeat to Moana Pasifika at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
In his post-match comments, Mayanavanua acknowledged the necessity for better discipline on the field, stating, “I think our discipline really needs improvement.” Despite the loss, he managed to score his first Super Rugby Pacific try in the 62nd minute, adding a silver lining to the match. Head coach Glen Jackson also recognized that the team did not meet their expectations for the game, noting, “We did not get the start that we were after.”
The Drua will face the Waratahs for their first away game of the season, scheduled for next Friday at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. Mayanavanua reflected on the team’s performance, mentioning that they initially capitalized on their opponents’ mistakes and played strategically but also stressed the importance of addressing the errors that cost them the match. He emphasized, “Our message in the first 20 minutes was if we could work on our discipline.”
The Drua struggled to gain momentum against Moana Pasifika, trailing 12-28 at halftime despite some strong plays. An unusual aspect of the match was the introduction of 20-minute breaks in each half, a decision made due to the hot weather conditions affecting Lautoka during the game.
As the Fijian Drua prepare to take on the Waratahs, they are hopeful that focusing on discipline and rectifying their mistakes will lead to a stronger performance on the road. In other matches, the Highlanders narrowly defeated the Crusaders 25-23, while the Waratahs showcased a dominant performance, defeating the Reds 36-12.
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