Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson highlighted the intense six-day turnaround as a significant factor in his team’s 13-36 defeat to the Waratahs in Sydney. Following back-to-back losses, both at home and away, Jackson reflected on the challenges faced during the match.
“The six-day turnaround probably didn’t help us,” Jackson stated during the post-match press conference. He noted the fast pace of the game, which proved difficult for his players, especially after traveling from the heat of Lautoka. Despite a strong performance in the first half, the Drua struggled as the game progressed, with Jackson acknowledging the quality and freshness of the Waratahs’ squad.
The Drua did start the match positively, scoring an impressive team try from a lineout set piece early in the first half. Jackson praised the execution, particularly highlighting the contributions from Rakuro and Loganimasi. “It’s always nice to score like that,” he remarked, but lamented that it was the only try they could manage as the Waratahs gained momentum later on.
The Waratahs dominated in key areas, particularly in physical confrontations around the rucks and during scrums. Jackson recognized their strength and effectiveness, admitting they were the stronger side on the day. “We’ve got to make sure we understand that,” he said, emphasizing the need for his team to focus on converting scoring opportunities, as they had been successful in creating line breaks but struggled to turn them into points.
Isao Nasilasila, a lock forward alongside Jackson during the media session, echoed his coach’s sentiments, indicating that the Waratahs’ substitutions injected energy into their performance, which strained the Drua’s defense. “They had a lot of possession, which did not help us in our tackles. It tires us out,” he said, reflecting on the difficulty of countering the Waratahs’ momentum.
While the recent losses present challenges for the Drua, Jackson remains optimistic about the lessons learned from these encounters as they continue to develop and enhance their performance on the field.
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