Magnificent Drua

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa, Suva

Our Fiji Airways Drua team deserves praise for creating history in only its second year in the National Rugby Championship (NRC) when it defeated the reigning champs Queensland Country 36-26 on Saturday at Churchill Park, Lautoka.

Our boys equally matched the Queensland Country side in all facets of the game, but it seems their lineouts need to be improved.

It is encouraging to hear the game commentators say that the Australian Wallabies better watch out because this NRC win by the Fiji Drua could mean a big thorn in the flesh for the Australian Rugby team as the Flying Fijians are also in the same Rugby World Cup pool. Watching the full replay on Sunday, my heart just went out to the boys for giving their all, especially the forwards and the exciting moves by the backline. They gave it their best shot and deserved the victory and we all pray and hope that the boys will all be given the chance to wear the Flying Fijian jersey in the coming tour and Rugby World Cup.

I had a smile when I saw the Fiji Airways Drua team photo as they posed with their NRC Championship Trophy. The player holding the trophy in the front with the Drua team Captain, looks as if he has a hunchback.

We have seen our Fiji Sevens team players keeping the match balls after the finals, tucked inside and covered by their jerseys.

This ball that will be remembered as the one used for creating history for the Fiji Airways Drua, is being carefully tucked at the players back, while holding the trophy in the front.

That picture should be framed and kept by all Drua players, in memory of their magnificent history making NRC Final performance. Vinaka vakalevu Drua.