Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women’s captain Bitila Tawake is ready to lead her team into a pivotal match against the Brumbies, determined to bounce back after a heart-wrenching loss to the Queensland Reds. The team is focused on refining their teamwork and execution as they seek to regain their momentum.
Reflecting on the previous game, Tawake emphasized the lessons learned from the narrow defeat. “The main message tomorrow would be just working as a team. We learned so much from last week’s game. The loss was heartbreaking, we had the game, but we lost it towards the end,” she stated, noting that the emphasis will be on putting points on the board and winning.
Individual improvement is also a priority for Tawake, who is aiming to minimize errors that plagued their last performance. “There were a lot of mistakes last week that cost us the game. We were very hard on ourselves about those errors during training, focusing on keeping the ball and executing our game plan.”
Mental preparation is equally crucial, as Tawake underscored the importance of getting enough rest and focusing on the game prior to kickoff. “The game starts tonight (last night). Our preparation is crucial, getting enough rest, staying focused, and blocking out distractions,” she remarked, aware of the pressures that accompany a home game.
The team’s mental and spiritual preparedness is being nurtured with support from senior players, which Tawake highlighted. She is particularly excited about the debut of young talent Carletta Yee, indicating that the combination of experienced players and emerging talent bodes well for team cohesion and performance.
Similar articles have noted the Drua’s past resilience and the rising interest in women’s rugby in the Pacific as they enjoy growing community support. Coach Ifereimi Rawaqa has been vocal about addressing the emotional and technical aspects that contributed to recent performances, citing that sharpened tackling techniques and better mental readiness are essential going into this high-stakes match.
Overall, the Drua Women not only aim to secure a win against the Brumbies but also to continue promoting and growing the visibility of women’s rugby in the region. With strong community backing and a spirit of determination, their journey symbolizes a hopeful future for women in sports within Fiji.
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