Drua needs to rise
THE performance of the Fiji Airways Fijian Drua side is worrying. The outfit that won last year’s title and made the semis in its first year of participation has struggled to find its rhythm and form and is on the verge of bidding the title and any hopes of a semi-final.
Tonight the Drua faces Melbourne Rising in a do-or-die situation and need a bonus point.
However, the Drua has struggled away from home and from my point of view the chance of winning is slim. In this year’s NRC the Drua has managed two draws (versus Brisbane City 22-22 and NSW Country Eagles 24-24), two losses (versus Western Force 38-15 and Canberra Vikings 41-28) and a win (versus Sydney Rays 76-29).
In contrast Melbourne Rising has bagged two wins (versus Sydney Rays 40-26 and Queensland Country 49-7) and the Rising has lost three matches (versus Western Force 38-19, NSW Country Eagles 29-19 and Canberra Vikings 47-22).
Both teams sit with nine points while Western Force leads the NRC points table (19 points), followed by NSW Country Eagles (15 points), Canberra Vikings (14 points), Brisbane City (12 points) and Queensland Country (10 points).
The Drua is a shadow of last year’s team and a lot of soul searching is needed for next year.
Seruvakula has named the likes of Veitayaki, Ikanivere, Makutu, Naulago, Naqali, Seru, Lawavou, Radrodro, Matawalu, Malele, Tabulawaki, Vularika, Reece, Narekuva and Nacebe to salvage some pride in our second last match and ignite some hope of making the semis. We have the cream of the players from our provinces and it’s high time these players take ownership of the jersey and play with some real pride, guts and determination!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM
Nadawa, Nasinu