Deans: Drua can be major force in the future

FORMER Crusaders head coach Robbie Deans reckpons newcomers Fijian Drua are the best start-up in Super Rugby history.

Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika were the new additions to the 12-team Pacific tournament with Drua finishing 11th after a surprise round three 31-26 win over the Melbourne Rebels and then a 34-19 victory over Pasifika.

Mick Byrne’s side also gained four losing bonus points as they narrowly lost to four Super Rugby stalwarts.

Former Australia head coach Deans, now in charge at the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan, was blown away by the Drua’s debut season and believes they’ll be a force to be reckoned with in years to come.

He said: “The first year of Drua has been outstanding. They’ve played some great rugby and for their first experience in the competition it’s superior to any of the other start-ups. It took the other start-ups years to get to where they’re at and I think they are going to fly and add a lot of value to the competition.”

Deans believes having the Drua in Super Rugby will only benefit the Fijian national side in the long run.

“It’s a great platform for the international team. They are only in year one, so by the time they have a couple more years under their belt they are going to grow.”, Deans said.

“It’s so important playing a higher level of rugby, intensity and speed, and more importantly the opportunity to train professionally, recover and develop physically. Give them a couple years and they’ll be a handful.”

Fijian-born Wallaby and Panasonic Wild Knights flyer Marika Koroibete also admires Drua and is enjoys watching them play the traditional Fijian way.

He said: “They love offloading and shifting the ball Fijian rugby style which everyone loves to watch.

“There are a couple things to work on, but they will be an easy fix and all together it’s not been a bad showing for their first season in Super Rugby.”