Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson has stated that the pressure surrounding a “must-win” narrative did not impact his team’s preparation for their upcoming match against the Hurricanes in the third round of the 2026 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season. Despite facing criticism due to back-to-back losses, Jackson emphasized that the team’s focus remained on their internal performance rather than the league standings.
“We didn’t really talk about it as a must-win. I know in terms of where you’re at in the table and the media talks about it a lot; it never came across as a must-win for us,” Jackson remarked. He underlined the importance of pride, belief, and the need to deliver a performance that aligns with the team’s values and skills rather than succumbing to external pressures.
Praising the team’s defensive performance against the well-regarded Hurricanes, Jackson said, “Defensively I thought they were unbelievable. Like I said, the Hurricanes are a quality, quality outfit, coached unbelievably well.” He highlighted the progress the Drua squad has made and the vital contributions of senior players who have stepped up during challenging moments, showcasing the team’s growth compared to previous seasons.
“With some doubt around our performances in the last couple of weeks, it just shows you how this group has gone from year to year. But also our leadership group and our leaders being able to step up at the right times and putting in some phenomenal tackles,” Jackson explained.
The Drua will enjoy a bye week before facing the Brumbies in Ba next week, aiming to build on their recent improvements and further exhibit their development on the field. This resilience and commitment to continuous improvement inspires optimism among fans and players, offering a promising outlook for the remainder of the season.