The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua’s quest for their inaugural away win in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season hit a snag as they faced a skilled New South Wales Waratahs team, which emerged victorious with a 36-13 scoreline in Sydney on Friday night.
The Drua demonstrated commendable resilience during the opening half, battling fiercely with the Waratahs. However, the Sydney team capitalized on a fatigued defensive effort from the Drua in the second half, securing a commanding win. Drua head coach Glen Jackson highlighted the challenges posed by a demanding schedule and the transition from the humid climate of Fiji as contributing factors to their performance.
“The six-day turnaround didn’t play in our favor,” Jackson remarked, reflecting on the rapid shift from the warm weather of Lautoka. He noted that both his team and Moana faced similar challenges with short turnarounds after playing in Lautoka, and both struggled in their subsequent away games.
Despite the final score, Jackson praised his players for their defensive efforts, particularly in the first 20 minutes. He noted, “I thought the boys played really well. We started better than last week, which was crucial.” However, as the match progressed into the second half, the fresh players off the Waratahs’ bench began to impose their influence, shifting the momentum in favor of the home team.
“The boys were right in there until half-time, but the Tahs got some quality players—they were fresh and they ran away in the second half,” Jackson said, expressing disappointment at the result but acknowledging the talent of the opposition.
While this defeat represents a setback, the Drua’s improved starting intensity indicates a positive trajectory moving forward. Looking ahead to round three, Jackson remains hopeful that his team can uncover the consistency needed to sustain their performance throughout the entire match. The Drua will take this opportunity to regroup and refine their strategies as they aim for success in their upcoming fixtures.
Leave a comment