Drua W skipper predicts challenging season
ROOSTER Chicken Fijian Drua Women’s captain Karalaini Naisewa anticipates a challenging Super W season ahead, with a wave of young debutants joining the squad.
The back-to-back Super W champions face last year’s losing finalists the Queensland Reds in round one at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday.
With a handful of players from the past two seasons having left for greener pastures, the Drua have roped in a new squad and are playing under a new management.
“There is a big change for the team this season with a lot of debutants coming in,” Naisewa said.
As her team prepares for Sunday’s match, Naisewa reflects on the significance of the upcoming fixture, considering it a rematch from last year’s Super W final.
“First of all, we want to go out there and play our hearts out and play our best to win this first round; it will be a rematch for the girls,” she said.
The captain is determined for the job. With unwavering determination, Naisewa emphasises her confidence in her team’s abilities.
“Time will tell but we got this,” she added.
Addressing areas of improvement, the captain stresses the importance of sticking to their game plan and giving their all on the field.
“We just stick to our game plan, play our hearts out, and tell our supporters that we got this.”
Regarding the lineup and the inclusion of several debutants, Naisewa defers to the coaches’ decisions.
“It’s the coaches’ choice this line-up and if the coaches believe in this line-up so we too believe in the coaches,” she said.
When asked about her message to the team at the opening whistle, Naisewa’s sentiment was clear.
“Go out there and play our hearts and tell people back at home that women’s team can also play a good game.”
Now based with the Fijian Drua men’s team, the captain admired the new training environment provided by the franchise.
“The new Drua training program is more professional compared to the last years, it’s more professional for us coming under Drua.”
Sunday’s match kicks off at 3.35pm.