The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua faced a challenging setback last weekend, suffering a 26-40 defeat to Moana Pasifika. This loss highlighted the urgent need for the team to improve their starting performance and gain control of matches from the very beginning. Captain Temo Mayanavanua openly acknowledged the lessons learned from the game, noting that relying on last-minute opportunities is no longer a viable strategy for success.
“We need to start strong. We can’t be relying on a try or a penalty to wake us up,” Mayanavanua stated, emphasizing the importance of taking the initiative and dictating play from the outset. Head coach Glen Jackson echoed this sentiment, pointing out that early interruptions and stoppages disrupted the team’s rhythm, hindering their ability to build momentum. “It felt like an NFL game with constant stops. We didn’t get the start we wanted,” Jackson observed.
Despite the defeat, there were bright spots, particularly from the bench players. Jackson praised Sikeli Rabitu, Frank Lomani, and young Isoa Tuwai for their contributions, noting their energy and impact when they entered the field. “Sikeli did a solid job coming on, Frank brought a lot of energy, and Tuwai was outstanding in the back row. They nearly turned the tide — we were just one pass away from scoring the winning try,” he said.
With only three days left before their next match, the Drua’s leadership is committed to learning from this experience to prevent early deficits in future games. Mayanavanua added, “Our focus now is on starting strong, keeping disciplined, and making sure we don’t have to chase the game.” The Drua will take on the Waratahs on Friday at 8:30 PM at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia, as they look to bounce back from this defeat with renewed determination and focus.
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