Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson expressed deep frustration following his team’s significant 52-15 loss to the Western Force in their latest round six match. Jackson candidly stated that their eight-day preparation in Perth felt more like a holiday than a serious run-up to such a critical game, indicating that necessary adjustments to their preparation and gameplay are urgently needed.
“Very frustrating,” Jackson remarked. “We’ve been here for eight days, and the boys had more of a holiday than prepare for rugby. We tried to change things up coming here knowing the last time we came here was a similar result, so whatever we’re doing is not working.” The coach emphasized that the current performance level and effort exhibited by the team do not meet their aspirations as a club.
In stark contrast, the Western Force took control early in the game, scoring five tries in the first half, leading 33-5 at halftime. The only response from the Drua came from Ilaisa Droasese. Despite attempts to rally in the second half with tries from Taniela Rakuro and Etonia Waqa, the Drua’s struggles with discipline and set-pieces became glaringly evident, allowing the Force to capitalize on their errors and secure a dominant win.
This match serves as a sobering wake-up call for the Drua, who will have a bye week to regroup before facing the formidable Crusaders at home on April 5. Jackson will likely focus on revisiting training strategies and rectifying the issues that have plagued the team during their last few matches, where missed conversions and discipline lapses have significantly impacted their game outcomes.
Despite the setback, there remains hope for improvement. The Drua have shown potential in earlier matches this season, and with a strong focus on their training and the support of their dedicated fan base, there is optimism that they can turn their fortunes around in the upcoming games. Jackson emphasized the need for a return to basics, which could ignite the team’s performance going forward, symbolizing their commitment to becoming a competitive force in the Super Rugby Pacific.
Leave a comment