The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua faced a challenging match against the Hurricanes, resulting in a 34-38 loss in the Super Rugby Pacific held in Napier, New Zealand. Co-captain Frank Lomani emphasized that converting possession into points is crucial for the team’s success moving forward. “Using opportunities when we have the ball, we need to keep the ball more and just use the opportunity to convert it into points,” he stated.
In the game, the Drua struggled defensively, missing 33 tackles, which allowed the Hurricanes to capitalize on their mistakes. Lomani noted the importance of discipline in their gameplay, acknowledging that it has been a consistent area of focus for improving their performance. “We’re here every weekend to win games, so discipline is one thing that we need to capitalize on,” he added.
Despite the loss, Lomani highlighted the positive impact of the younger players stepping up to the challenge. He expressed optimism about the future, saying, “Many young boys are stepping up to the challenge, which is good to see.” However, he admitted that execution in the final minutes of the game was costly, reflecting a pattern seen in prior matches—similar to their experiences against the Brumbies where they also struggled to maintain their leads.
Looking ahead, the Drua will compete against the Waratahs next Friday at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney. This upcoming match offers the Drua a crucial opportunity to regroup and apply lessons learned from recent games, especially regarding their late-game performance. Fans are hopeful that with a renewed focus on discipline and execution, combined with the emergence of promising young talents, the Drua can turn the tide in their season and strive for their first victory in the Super Rugby Pacific tournament. The support from their community continues to play a vital role, fostering optimism for a successful turnaround in the weeks ahead.
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