Swire Shipping Fijian Drua co-captain Temo Mayanavanua acknowledged that discipline played a pivotal role in their 31-47 loss to the Gallagher Chiefs during their Super Rugby Pacific pre-season trial match at Blake Park in Mount Manganui, New Zealand. Despite the defeat, Mayanavanua emphasized the positives that emerged from the game.
“Discipline is something that let us down,” he stated. “If we could cut that down, we could minimize all the errors we made today and potentially give the Chiefs a better contest.” He pointed out that the match was the first pre-season outing featuring many new players, and the team is actively working on building combinations and integrating new members into the squad.
Mayanavanua expressed confidence that there were several encouraging signs, particularly in counter-attacks and ball movement. “We looked after the counter-attack really well, and the boys managed to gain line on the edges,” he noted. However, he acknowledged the need to refine their defense after the Chiefs executed effective aerial play.
Looking ahead, the Drua will next face the Skipper Select XV side at Churchill Park in Lautoka next Friday at 4pm, as they continue to work on their game ahead of the regular season.
In a display of local support, Mere Tora attended the match with her two daughters, who reside in Tauranga. Tora, who came from Fiji three weeks ago, celebrated the opportunity to cheer for the Drua. She reflected on the historical ties between the Chiefs and Fijian rugby, stating, “At one stage for the Chiefs, Fiji was their home ground, so the connection was already there, and the locals are looking forward to this game.”
The Fijian Drua’s resilience and the community’s enthusiasm for their presence in New Zealand reflect the optimistic spirit that surrounds this emerging rugby franchise, as they seek to build momentum ahead of the upcoming season.