The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua faced a tough lesson in their recent 26-40 defeat to Moana Pasifika, highlighting the urgent need for a stronger start to their matches. Captain Temo Mayanavanua emphasized that the team cannot afford to rely on late-game rallies, urging the players to take charge from the opening whistle.
“We need to start strong. We can’t be relying on a try or a penalty to wake us up. Taking initiative and controlling the game from the start is something that’s fully within our power,” Mayanavanua stated. Head coach Glen Jackson echoed this sentiment, explaining how early disruptions in play severely hindered the team’s rhythm and ability to build momentum.
“It felt like an NFL game with constant stops. We didn’t get the start we wanted,” Jackson remarked, underscoring the challenges his team faced. However, there were positive takeaways, particularly from the bench players. Jackson praised the contributions of Sikeli Rabitu, Frank Lomani, and young Isoa Tuwai, who provided energy and nearly turned the game around.
“Sikeli did a solid job coming on, Frank brought a lot of energy, and Tuwai was outstanding in the back row. They nearly turned the tide — we were just one pass away from scoring the winning try,” he noted.
With their next match against the Waratahs scheduled for Friday at 8:30 PM at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, the Drua are committed to learning from their previous, challenging experience. Mayanavanua reiterated the team’s focus: “Our emphasis now is on starting strong, staying disciplined, and ensuring we don’t have to chase the game.” With this determination, fans can hope for a more assertive performance when the Drua take to the field next.