Slow start, but fire burning at Dragons
Vigar powers home after
DARWIN Dragons head coach Puru Westrupp had mixed feelings when the COVID-19 crisis caused the postponement of the Darwin A-Grade rugby competition.
On one hand Westrupp felt the reigning premiers were just hitting their strides before the competition was paused after four rounds on March 16.
But on the other he considers it a blessing, with a chance for some of his team’s biggest names to return to the side, including Eric Johnstone medallist Hirini Murfitt, Greg and Drew Tobin, and Brayden Cunningham.
“Like anyone else we are just in a wait-and-see phase. We were originally told a May start but I don’t see that happening,” Westrupp told the Sunday Territorian.
“It was a mixed feeling. We felt that we were just coming good after some early losses, but we are also getting some big players back from injury or otherwise.
“In that sense this forced break was a little blessing for us to give them big players time to get over injuries.
“We were competitive without them, but we probably have the most improvement to come.”
The Dragons suffered three losses from the opening four rounds against South
Darwin (55-5), Casuarina (36-14) and University Pirates (22-15).
However, the side did pull off a third round 17-5 win over Palmerston, with Jonas Niki scoring two tries.
The Dragons are looking ahead rather than behind, with players coming back and others running through their own training exercises from home.
“Players are doing their own training at the moment, fairly regular stuff, which is all we can do,” Westrupp said.
“They’re all keeping in contact online and we’re looking at getting a good start and being ready for when we come back.
“Outside of rugby we just want everyone to stay safe and keep working.
“Rugby has to take a back seat at the moment as there are more important things going on outside.”