The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua faced a tough challenge at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, where they fell to the Chiefs with a score of 31-47 during a Super Rugby Pacific pre-season trial match. Despite the defeat, head coach Glen Jackson expressed pride in his team’s performance, highlighting their hard work and resilience throughout the match.
Jackson noted the challenging playing conditions and praised the squad for their defensive efforts against a determined Chiefs team. “I’m really proud of the boys; we didn’t ease up in the week training-wise so we knew it would be a tough game in the heat, but I thought they played really well defensively,” he said.
He specifically recognized the contributions of new players such as Temo Mayanavanua, Virimi Vakatawa, and Manasa Mataele, who made significant impacts on the field. “I thought our new players played extremely well; Virimi was good, Temo outstanding, and Manasa and Issac really brought in some good stuff,” he remarked, acknowledging the positive influence of younger players like Harold Rounds.
The Drua went into halftime trailing 21-33, with tries from Motikiai Murray, Ilaisa Droasese, Joe Tamani, and Iosefo Namoce. However, Jackson indicated that discipline emerged as a key area for improvement, particularly in their defensive goals, citing “silly penalties” that cost them during crucial moments.
Looking ahead, the Fijian Drua will return home to compete against the Skipper Select side in the ‘Battle of Fiji’ at Churchill Park in Lautoka next Friday, marking their second pre-season trial match. This upcoming event offers a new opportunity for the team to build on their experiences and strengthen their game as they progress through their pre-season preparations.