The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will square off against the Chiefs today at Blake Park in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, marking their first opportunity to assess their performance ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific competition. For Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, the utility backline player, this friendly match represents an essential chance for the team to experiment with new combinations and strategies.
“This is something new for us, playing for the first time against one of the New Zealand teams in a warm-up game,” Samusamuvodre stated. He expressed optimism about the match, seeing it as a solid foundation to build on. The Drua are committed to integrating fresh players and innovative plays established during their preseason training.
Training diligently at Blake Park, the team is currently staying at the Ngamuwahine Lodge, located outside Tauranga. The preseason trial match is crucial for the team to evaluate the effectiveness of their training, especially considering the diverse mix of players in the squad.
The inclusion of experienced players, such as Manasa Saulo and Virimi Vakatawa, has significantly contributed to the team’s preparation, according to Samusamuvodre. As the Fijian Drua takes on the Chiefs at 2 PM today, both players and coaching staff are eager to see how their preparations will translate into performance on the field.
This trial match offers a promising glimpse into the team’s potential as they continue to strengthen their roster and refine their gameplay ahead of the competitive season.