Fiji Sun

Fijiana Drua to work on game plan

Rebels to work on discipline after five yellow cards

- LEONE CABENATABU­A SUVA Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrol­a

Expect a much- improved performanc­e from the Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua side when they face Melbourne Rebels at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, this Saturday, in the second round of the Super W competitio­n.

In a scrappy match, the defending Super W champions edged Brumbies 12-7 in the opening round at Prince Charles Park, Nadi, last Saturday.

Despite that, Drua head coach Inoke Male said they would take the win.

“We had a lot of start-stop which distracted our plan but it is always good to come out with a win in the first game of the season,” the former Flying Fijian No.8 and head coach said.

“There are a lot of takings to take from this game and we need

to go to the drawing board and polish it up before our second match against Melbourne Rebels.”

The Drua will be strengthen­ed by the inclusion of star winger Vitalina Naikore after she passed out from the Fiji Correction­s Service, last Friday.

She could make the line-up against Rebels.

Meanwhile, discipline is an area the Rebels are working hard on before they face the Drua.

They were thrashed 43-0 by Reds at AAMI Park.

The Rebels copped five yellow

cards, including one to captain Ashley Marsters.

“It really let us down- too many yellow cards,” Marsters said. “There’s no question that our team is physical but we needed to play with ball in hand and that’s what let us down.”

The Rebels are expected to field former Fijiana Drua forwards Vika Matarugu and Jiowana Sauto in their starting line-up. Matarugu and Sauto played for the Drua when they won the Super W title last year.

 ?? Photo: Leon Lord ?? Strong running Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua second five eight Merewai Cumu takes on the Brumbies players with first five eight Ani Mei (left) and flanker Sulita Waisega in support during their Super W opener at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on March 25, 2023.
Photo: Leon Lord Strong running Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua second five eight Merewai Cumu takes on the Brumbies players with first five eight Ani Mei (left) and flanker Sulita Waisega in support during their Super W opener at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on March 25, 2023.

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