Coach Wary Of Force
The Fiji Airways Fijian Drua take on National Rugby Championship favourites Western Force on Saturday at the UWA Sports Park in Mount Claremont, Western Australia. Speaking to SUNsports, Drua head coach Senirusi Seruvakula said it’s going to be another tough game for them. SANZAR had dropped Western Force from this year’s Super Rugby competition, but billionaire club owner Andrew Forrest ensured the side had been financially equipped as they played in the an inaugural World Series.
“The Force has a strong pack and they play well in the forwards, their backline tries to create spaces wide and that is why they are stronger this year,” he said.
“Also they’ve benefitted from playing in the World Series before the NRC started. “They have been gelling well for the past couple of months.”
The Force have recruited former Fiji Airways Fijian 7s forward and Olympian Masivesi Dakuwaqa who is now playing on the wing.
FIX WOES
Despite the 40-35 win over Canberra Vikings in Lautoka, Seruvakula was not a happy man.
The Drua almost blew a 33-14 lead at halftime by allowing the Vikings back into the game.
“We can’t afford to do that at this level. We need to play smart and play to the NRC level with these guys.
“There is a lot of learning for us to work on before we play our last game against the Western Force.
“We need to be patient and keep possession at all times. We can’t play open rugby for the whole 80 minutes. These boys start to believe that they can throw the ball around from our red zone to the A zone but we need to be smarter.
“There are times when you need to throw the ball but there are times when you can’t afford to throw those 50-50 passes.
“Sometimes it affects us as there is a turnover and the opposition turns up scoring tries.”
SET PIECES
Seruvakula also highlighted that they need to work on their scrum more.
“In the first half saw prop (Alivereti) Rabukawaqa as it was his second NRC match and it’s a different level compared to the Skipper Cup. In the second half, Luke Tagi replaced him and we need to work on a lot of areas in the scrum.” “The lineout has been doing very well for the last three weeks. When we started playing our line-outs were not doing well. “We did a lot of work and we are reaping its rewards.”
BUILD-UP PLAY
“The main area to work on is to maintain possession, build-up our multiple phases until we score tries. Rather than two phases and try to score.
“At this level you can’t. In the past they think they can play and score any tries. We need to play smart especially playing near to the semi-final.”
CONFIDENCE
“It will be good for fans and for these players to play in the semi-final for the first time here in Fiji. It will build confidence for them,” he added.
“If we are on top we have to maintain that for the semi-final. We have to work the process well before we fly out on Thursday.
BACK FROM INJURY
Halfback Serupepeli Vularika injured his knee during training last week and is expected to return this week.
“He was supposed to be on bench so we brought Jone Manu but he should be okay for this week,” Seruvakula confirmed.
The match kicks-off at 7pm (Fiji time).