Fijian Drua coach Glen Jackson has expressed his disappointment over the three-week suspension handed to young forward Motikiai Murray, acknowledging his impressive form this season. Murray, who recently earned a spot in the Super Rugby Pacific Team of the Week, had been exhibiting strong performances until he was penalized for a dangerous tackle in a match against the Brumbies.
Jackson described the situation as unfortunate, especially since Murray had just returned to the field after a head injury assessment. He noted, “Yeah, look, it wasn’t great from Mott. I know he put his hand up straight away, unfortunately. It was a tackle that was right at the end of the game.”
With Murray now absent from the lineup, the Drua will need to adapt their forward pack as they gear up for their upcoming game against the Western Force on March 23, 2025. Despite this setback, Jackson remains optimistic that the young lock will learn from the incident and make a stronger comeback.
This incident is part of a growing trend in rugby, where stricter penalties are enforced for dangerous tackles to prioritize player safety. Similar cases involving players like Api Koroisau and Hoskins Sotutu illustrate the league’s commitment to upholding these safety standards.
While Murray’s suspension presents a challenge for the Drua, it also offers an opportunity for other players to step up and demonstrate their abilities. The team aims to maintain physicality and depth as they strive to improve their performance collectively. Coach Jackson believes this challenge could foster resilience within the squad.
Overall, fans will be eager to see how the Drua overcomes this adversity and which players rise to the occasion in Murray’s absence, encouraging a spirit of collaboration and determination moving forward.
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