Drua out for first victory
THE last time the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua met the Crusaders was a 49-8 hiding at the Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch during the Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinal.
Prior to that, the Drua had recorded an epic and a historic 25-24 victory at Churchill Park.
Fans were on cloud nine, as Kemu Valetini kicked the winning penalty.
Celebrations continued into the early hours of Sunday morning.
Statistics reveal that the last time the Crusaders were on a two-game winning streak was the inaugural Super season, where they lost their first three games of the campaign but won the final. The Drua have won five of their last six games in Fiji and will be out for their first win.
The battle between the two young halves, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula and Taha Kemara, who are desperate to lead their sides to a first win of the season, will be exciting, and while Armstrong-Ravula has a bright future for Fiji after spending time in the NPC, Kemara had a tough starting debut against the Waratahs and has to learn quickly how to deal with the pressure that comes with guiding the Crusaders around the park.
Quickly absorbing the lessons of their second loss (24-37) to the Waratahs will be crucial for the Crusaders as they head here, seeking a win.
The Drua have already beaten the defending champs, but they’ll have to play smart.
With two losses as defending champions, the Crusaders are coming in as wounded lions, so the Drua will have to up the tempo, utilise given opportunities, and gun for a win.
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM
Nadawa, Nasinu