Fiji Sun

Drua Set Target

We aim for a home semifinal, reveals head coach Seruvakula

- KARALAINI TAVI Edited by Leone Cabenatabu­a Feedback: karalaini.tavi@fijisun.com.fj

Securing a National Rugby Championsh­ip home semi-final is the target of the Fiji Airways Fijian Drua side. This was told to SUNsports yesterday by head coach Senirusi Seruvakula as they prepare for their first away game against defending champions Queensland Country on Saturday.

“Being away from home is a good exposure for the players,” the no-nonsense coach said. “We want to have a home semi-final and we need to either win one or both our away games.”

According to NRC rugby writer Brett McKay from the “two Drua games, they have 106 points for and 22 against (and 16 tries to 4), it quite possibly means that if the Drua can sneak a win over even just one of Queensland Country in Mackay, or the Sydney Rays in Sydney the weekend after, they can really set up their playoffs.”

McKay said the Drua are going to be hard to beat at home, and they have two home games to come in rounds 5 and 6.

“So assuming they keep a clean sheet at home, one win from their three away games in Australia will have them pushing for a top two finish and a home semi-final.” He however said, Queensland Country will present a much harder challenge defensivel­y that City did last Saturday, but even the reigning champions would’ve had trouble stopping all 10 of the Drua’s tries in Lautoka.

Seruvakula said despite the players confidence is building up after the two wins they are aware that the biggest test for them is on Saturday.

“We will start training tomorrow in Nadi. We chose Nadi because of the weather and we want to train under the hot sun and we want to build it up to another level.”

Seruvakula said it’s going to be tougher week in and week out and the players are aware of the great task that is before them.

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 ??  ?? Fiji Airways Fijian Drua backs (left-right) Alivereti Veitokani, Levani Kurumudu and Jone Manu during training at Internatio­nal School Nadi on September 7, 2018. Photo: Waisea Nasokia
Fiji Airways Fijian Drua backs (left-right) Alivereti Veitokani, Levani Kurumudu and Jone Manu during training at Internatio­nal School Nadi on September 7, 2018. Photo: Waisea Nasokia

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