Predictions and tips

Fijian Drua v Waratahs preview

FIJIAN Drua are a tough nut to crack in Fiji and that will be the Waratahs biggest challenge. They both have identical records this season with a win and three defeats apiece.

The hosts are slight favourites, but the Tahs have been playing some good rugby of late. I fancy the visitors to get inside four points and a win for the Sydney outfit wouldn’t be a surprise.

Head to head

Waratahs have won all four of their previous matches against the Fijian Drua. At no point in those games have the Tahs’ conceded more than 18 points. Their last match ended in a 46-17 Waratahs win.

Fijian Drua form

Fijian Drua have made a slow start to the season with just one win in four matches. They are currently 10th on the Super Rugby Pacific table.

The Drua began with a 34-10 away loss to the Blues before going down 39-36 in Melbourne to Moana in an absolute thriller. Thereafter the Fijian side upset the odds to beat the Crusaders 20-10 on home soil.

With that confidence, the Drua challenged the Chiefs last weekend but ultimately came up short 46-29 in Hamilton. While the Drua held their own for large parts of the fixture, they were always struggling defensively.

Waratahs form

Looking at the table with the Waratahs in ninth place it would be easy to say the Sydney side have been poor this season. However, while they have managed just one win from four, their performances have warranted a lot more.

On the opening weekend the Tahs were well beaten 40-22 by the Reds, however, the Waratahs bounced back to beat the Crusaders 37-24 in round two.

Since then the Waratahs have lost two games by two points. They went down 23-21 in Dunedin against the Highlanders before suffering another agonising defeat, this time 12-10 at home to the Blues. ■