DRUA ON A ROLL
NSW Country Eagles on mission to win first NRC. Aussies hope to revive their campaign with a win in Suva on Saturday
The triumphant Fiji Airways Fijian Drua rugby reps returned home last night beaming with confidence that they can beat NSW Country Eagles at 3pm at the ANZ Stadium in Suva on Saturday.
A win will boost their chances of a home semifinal in the 2018 Australian National Rugby Championship. Drua head coach Senirusi Seruvakula said after four rounds of tough competition, he now had the players who could come in as replacements and be able to lift the momentum to another notch.
“The only injured player is prop Mosese Ducivaki, who is still in Australia undergoing surgery, but I’ve capable props who are ready to step in,” he said.
They are Flying Fijians prop Joeli Veitayaki, Eroni Mawi and newcomer Luke Tagi. Seruvakula said they would be leaving no stones unturned when they face NSW Country Eagles.
“We’re not underestimating them and we will try to avoid playing catch-up rugby. Also we need to keep our discipline because this time it’s very important to win these home games and then to have a home semifinal.”
Meanwhile, elusive first five-eighth Jone Manu is hoping to get more game time. The Oinafa, Rotuma, native made his debut against the Sydney Rays.
He was moved to second five-eighth and was instrumental in setting up two late tries to Alivereti Veitokani and Apisalome Waqatabu as the Drua team’s came from behind to snatch a 34-31 victory.
“It was a grand game for us, we came from behind to pull the win that mattered. It was good for me especially on Drua debut since I had been trying hard to make the team for some time now.”
Fiji Airways Fijian Drua head coach, Senirusi Seruvakula plans to keep things simple as they prepare to take on NSW Country Eagles at the ANZ Stadium in Suva on Saturday.
Seruvakula believes there is no room for any fancy stuff but simply for them to focus on doing the basics right.
“We just have to go back to the basics and play according to our game pattern,” he said.
“We just have to look at ourselves rather than looking at the opposition.
“We need to have possession at all times and start throwing the ball around and then the space will open up.”
The Fijian Drua fought back from a 19-5 deficit at halftime to edge out Sydney Rays 34-31 at Concord Oval in Sydney on Sunday while another Fijian Rob Valetini scored the try that mattered for Canberra Vikings as they narrowly beat NSW Country Eagles 24-17.
TURNING THINGS AROUND
Despite the loss and being on the second last spot of the NRC points tables, Eagles coach Darren Coleman is confident that they could turn things around starting with the clash against the Drua.
This will make it easier as they will host their final two NRC games.
Heading into the halfway mark of the competition, Coleman hopes his Eagles side can use the heartbreak of 2017 as fire in the belly in their bid to claim a first NRC title in 2018.
The right boot of Perth Spirit flyhalf Peter Grant put a dagger in the heart of NSW Country’s hopes last year, when the former Springbok nailed an 81st minute penalty against eventual premiers Queensland Country. The Spirit win knocked the Country Eagles out of the top four and ended their campaign in the process.
It is a feeling which Coleman hasn’t forgotten.
“Yeah, last year hurt,” Coleman said.
“It wasn’t the first time we’ve been bumped out in those sorts of circumstances either unfortunately, but that’s just how footy goes.
“We’ve been there or thereabouts and competed well the last few years, so we know within ourselves what we can do to improve.”
The match kicks-off at 3pm.