RUGBY Serevi: Drua Can Win NRC
Good days ahead for Fiji Rugby, says maestro
Sevens maestro Waisale Serevi is backing on the Fiji Airways Drua to win the Australian National Rugby Championship (NRC) in their debut season.
Serevi said this is despite their 66-5 loss to the Canberra Vikings side at Viking Park last Friday night. The former Vodafone Flying Fijian playmaker who led the Fijian Legends against the Classic Wallabies at the ANZ Stadium, Suva two weeks ago strongly believes the side have what it takes to win the competition.
“I believe the Drua are playing well at the moment despite the last game,” he said.
“I saw the two games which they won and a lot of people were saying a lot of things but they have improved as the competition went on. I believe they have the opportunity to win this year’s NRC.
“The coach and the young players are doing well. I’m so happy and proud as to how they’re playing in the competition.”
He added that the introduction of the Drua team in the NRC would improve the level of the provincial competition as players would be gunning for a spot in the Drua side or else the Telecom Fijian Warriors team.
“The pathway is now there. Before it was only sevens and fifteens and if you missed that, it was tough luck but now with the NRC and the Fiji Warriors, I believe the future of Fiji rugby is bright.” Serevi who now lives in the United States has called on local players to stay true to the sport and there are no short cuts to success.
“We need to remain grounded and it’s important that we are true to ourselves with our training, eating the right food and resting because to be a real champion it takes a lot of hard work, dedication and commitment.”
The John Stewart skippered-Drua side face the Greater Sydney Rams at T G Millner Field on Saturday at 5pm (Fijian time).