Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson has emphasized that the external pressure of a “must-win” narrative did not affect his team leading up to their match against the Hurricanes in round three of the 2026 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season. Despite facing scrutiny following consecutive losses, Jackson ensured that the focus remained on internal performance rather than 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 stated. Instead, he stressed the importance of pride, belief, and delivering a performance that reflects the team’s values and skills.
Jackson praised the team’s defensive efforts against a formidable Hurricanes side, noting, “Defensively I thought they were unbelievable. Like I said, the Hurricanes are a quality, quality outfit, coached unbelievably well.” He also acknowledged the growth of the Drua squad and the crucial role of senior players who stepped up to lead during tough moments, highlighting the team’s development from 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,” said Jackson.
The Drua are set to take a bye this week before returning to action against the Brumbies in Ba next week, where they hope to build on their positive momentum and showcase their growth on the field. This reflects the team’s resilience and commitment to continuous improvement, offering hope for fans and players alike.