The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua is no stranger to facing criticism, but co-captain Frank Lomani has made it clear that such remarks only fuel their determination. Following their thrilling 25-20 victory against the Hurricanes at Churchill Park in Lautoka, Lomani addressed doubts surrounding their progress in the 2026 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition, especially after suffering two prior defeats.
Lomani emphasized that the team remains unaffected by outside criticism, stating, “We don’t really care about what people say.” He noted that negative comments often come from a place of passion, revealing how invested fans are in the team’s performance. “Those are just outside noise; they say stuff because they care about this team and what happens in this team,” he added.
In a gripping match where the team initially trailed 17-13 at halftime, the Drua demonstrated exceptional resilience, overcoming the challenging weather brought on by Tropical Cyclone Urmil. Lomani reiterated that their focus remains on representing Fiji to the best of their ability, regardless of public sentiment. “It doesn’t change the way we turn up every day. When we turn up, we train, we still represent Fiji,” he affirmed.
With their spirits undeterred by criticism, the Drua remains committed to their game plan. “We just play to our game plan and we execute it; that’s what it looks like when we do exactly what we say we’re going to do,” Lomani stated confidently.
Looking ahead, the team will have a bye this week before facing the ACT Brumbies next Saturday at 3:30 PM. This match will be particularly significant as it marks the first Super Rugby Pacific event hosted at 4R Stadium, Govind Park in Ba, promising an exciting atmosphere for fans. The Drua’s ability to rise above negativity and focus on their goals sets a positive example for their supporters as they forge ahead in the tournament.