Swire Shipping Fijian Drua co-captain Temo Mayanavanua has underscored the importance of discipline as a key area of focus after their opening match against Moana Pasifika in Lautoka. In the encounter, Mayanavanua observed that Moana Pasifika began strongly, dominating the initial phases of play and putting the Drua under considerable pressure. Despite a challenging start, he praised his teammates for their determination to elevate their performance and strive for a comeback.
“They started really well. They’re a quality outfit and they brought it to us. I’ll give credit to the boys for pulling their socks up and fighting hard,” said Mayanavanua. However, he acknowledged that discipline played a significant role in their struggles, as the team’s errors allowed Moana Pasifika to take control during critical moments of the game.
“Discipline is the first one. They were able to capitalize on our mistakes and they did really well in the right parts of the field,” he explained.
Looking ahead to a quick six-day turnaround before the Drua faces the Waratahs in Sydney, Mayanavanua emphasized the necessity for improvement in discipline to ensure future successes. “The Waratahs are a good team. I watched their game last night. Going into the next round, our discipline really needs to improve,” he remarked.
Additionally, Mayanavanua expressed deep appreciation for the support from the Drua’s loyal fans in Lautoka, offering an apology for not meeting their expectations in the opening match. “Words cannot explain how grateful we are. We’re sorry we couldn’t perform to your expectations, but we’ll go back, fix our mistakes, and come back harder,” he assured.
As the Drua gears up for their critical match against the Waratahs, improving discipline will be essential for a successful rebound. The next showdown is slated for next Friday at 8:35 PM, with live coverage available on FBC Sports. This pivotal match presents an opportunity for the Drua to showcase their resilience and improve upon their earlier performance for their dedicated supporters.