The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua faced a disappointing defeat against Moana Pasifika, losing 34-15 and effectively ending their hopes for a top-six finish in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Despite dominating possession and territory, Drua coach Glen Jackson expressed disappointment, noting a significant gap between the opportunities created and their execution on the field. “I think our boys gave out everything… but we didn’t capitalize on the ball,” said Jackson, underlining a critical area of concern for the team — their inability to convert chances into points.
The match saw Moana Pasifika take an early lead, with several tries that left the Drua struggling to catch up. The defeat marked the Drua’s eighth loss this season, making their playoff ambitions increasingly precarious. They remain one point behind Moana Pasifika in the rankings, which adds pressure in the remaining rounds.
This performance echoes previous matches where the Drua faced similar execution issues and struggled to close out games. For instance, their earlier encounters against teams like the ACT Brumbies and the Waratahs reflected ongoing trends of missed opportunities and critical errors.
Looking forward, the Drua are set to face the Queensland Reds on May 3rd. While their chances for a top-six finish are slim, positive insights can be drawn from their younger talents, such as Ponipate Loganimasi, who has shown promise throughout the season.
The dedication of the Drua’s fanbase remains unwavering, providing essential support that may help motivate the team to regroup and improve as they navigate the final stretch of the competition. Ultimately, if the Drua can learn from their setbacks and refine their execution, there remains hope for a turnaround as they push through the remaining matches.
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