As the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua gear up to take on the Gallagher Chiefs this Saturday at Churchill Park in Lautoka, head coach Glen Jackson has expressed his admiration for Tuidraki Samusamuvodre’s exemplary performances. Jackson commended the young center for his dedication and skill development since the Drua’s inception, noting that Samusamuvodre has truly earned his place in the team.
“Tui’s been here since the start of the Drua,” Jackson stated. “He hasn’t always had a lot of opportunities, but he has worked really hard, and I’m just stoked for him that he has been able to play a lot of minutes already in the first three games.”
During this Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season, Samusamuvodre has emerged as a key player, contributing significantly with a total of 180 minutes played over the last three matches. He stepped up as a starter for Iosefo Masi, accumulating impressive statistics with 49 meters gained, 14 carries, a clean break, and effective offloading skills. He also showed commendable defensive efforts, achieving an overall tackle success rate of 52 percent with 11 tackles.
Jackson is optimistic about Samusamuvodre’s development and his impact on the team’s performance. He remarked, “He’s a kid that’s worked really hard and deserves everything he’s getting at the moment,” emphasizing the value of his contributions amidst the team’s challenges this season.
As the Chiefs sit atop the Super Rugby Pacific standings, the Drua are currently positioned in 10th place following three narrow defeats—32-36 to the Brumbies, 34-38 to the Hurricanes, and 24-29 to the Waratahs. Jackson underscored the importance of the upcoming match, as a strong showing on home soil could be crucial for shifting the team’s momentum.
Captain Tevita Ikanivere has also weighed in, acknowledging the team’s recent difficulties and emphasizing the need for greater focus in close games. With local fans rallying to support the Drua, this match represents a vital opportunity not only to earn crucial points but also to ignite the team’s spirit.
The combination of seasoned players and emerging talent like Samusamuvodre creates a promising potential for a breakthrough performance that could energize both the team and their supporters. Fans remain hopeful that the Drua will capitalize on their home advantage to bring home their first win of the season.
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