The Fiji Drua’s chief executive has expressed strong criticism towards Rugby Australia for what he describes as an “inequitable” travel schedule for their women’s team, which is set to arrive in Brisbane just one day before their Super Rugby Women’s semi-final. Mark Evans highlighted that this short notice could severely compromise the team’s preparation for the match, especially if they advance to the grand final the following week.
The Drua’s women are scheduled to face Queensland on Sunday and have shown remarkable performance in their Super Rugby Women’s journey, reaching the grand finals in all three seasons since their inclusion in 2022 — winning two titles. Evans has voiced frustrations regarding the limited accommodation options provided by Rugby Australia, which only covers a maximum of three nights for away games. He had hoped for a prompt arrival on Friday to better prepare but was surprised to find the team booked to arrive on Saturday.
Compounding the issue, if the Fijiana Drua progresses to the finals, they will face the challenge of preparing for another match with merely one training session at home before flying back to Sydney for the grand final. Evans finds the situation perplexing and questioned Rugby Australia’s claims of budget constraints, especially considering their status as a multimillion-dollar organization.
This criticism from Evans comes on the heels of previous complaints from the Fiji Drua men’s team regarding travel issues during a trip to New Zealand, which underscored the logistical challenges faced by the Drua in the Super Rugby competitions.
In response, Jilly Collins, Rugby Australia’s general manager of women’s rugby, stated that the arrangements are in line with competition guidelines, arguing that the timing of the Drua’s arrival is adequate for both logistical and performance needs. Nonetheless, Evans maintains that the unique geographic situation of the Drua cannot be overlooked and calls for greater flexibility and understanding from the stakeholders involved.
Amid these logistical challenges, there’s cause for optimism as the Drua aim to channel this adversity into motivation for success in their upcoming matches. The team’s ability to maintain resilience in the face of such issues reflects the unwavering spirit characteristic of Fijian rugby. As they prepare to compete, fans are hopeful that the strength and unity within the team will lead them to triumph in the semi-final, and potentially beyond.
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