Tanivula: Toughen up Former Highlanders player says Drua need to lift physicality

THE Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will need to lift their physicality level to match the remaining teams in the Super Rugby Pacific competition in order to have an outside chance to sneak into the quarterfinals, says former Super Rugby player Iliesa Tanivula.

The Fijian Drua take on the Hurricanes this Sunday and then play Moana Pasifika on May 14, Crusaders on May 20, rounding off their inaugural season campaign against the Chiefs in Lautoka on May 28.

Tanivula said the Fijian Drua would need to step up if they wanted to finish in the top eight, and hope the other results go their way.

“Things are getting tougher for the Fijian Drua,” the former New Zealand 7s rep said.

“After their first two games in the competition I stated that they will need to maintain their composure and have the endurance to last the whole season.

“So this week it is back to the drawing board to rectify the mistakes and get the game plan right.

“The forwards will need to step up and dominate the set piece. Hopefully this will enable good territory and possession to give the backs to score those wonderful tries.

“It is all about the preparations, especially mentally to get everything right.

“All the New Zealand teams are physical so you will need to match that physicality.”

In other matches this weekend, the Blues play the Rebels, the Reds take on the Highlanders, the Brumbies take on the Chiefs, and the Force tackle the Crusaders.

Super Rugby Pacific points:

Blues 40, Brumbies 39, Crusaders 34, Chiefs 32, Reds 31, Waratahs 28, Hurricanes 24, Rebels 15, Force 14, Highlanders 13, Drua 7, Moana 5.