After a successful outing against the Moana Pasifika last Saturday, the Fijian Drua will look to carry its good performance against the Crusaders. Renowned as the most successful team in Super Rugby history, the Canterbury Crusaders match will not be an easy task to overcome for the Drua.
Mindful of their next opponents, Head Coach Mick Berne said of his players, “They’ve watched Super Rugby from afar and a team that won more titles than most and are in the finals all the time, when you’re watching Super Rugby from afar you’re probably watching them most weeks, so the boys are gonna really look forward to going down there and taking on the red and blacks.”
Last weekend’s Drua vs Moana Pasifika clash delivered all that was promised of that match. The game featured a couple of fantastic tries including another long-range runaway try from Fijian Drua star winger Vinaya Habosi, a new talent in this year’s competition.
Moana Pasifika dialled in on the strength of their forward pack to keep in touch with the Drua, scoring two tries as a result of a rolling maul. Powerhouse winger Timoci Tavatavanawai also grabbed a try after catching a crosskick right off the air to dive over next to the up rights.
Captain Meli Derenalagi said they’re looking forward to the next clash: ““We were talking inside and telling them that we need to show them too who is the best in Super Rugby like if we can do it to the Blues then we’ll try to lift our standard and try to compete with them.” Derenalagi is not one to shy away from challenges and will look to his teammates to support his lead.
The new franchise will soon see big changes in its team management as they expect the appointment of a new CEO in the next coming months. In a statement released yesterday, the Fijian Drua has confirmed that the position of CEO is currently being advertised.
“As was always planned, it also allows current CEO Brian Thorburn, who was acting in an interim capacity, to return to his substantial role as Commercial Director of Fiji Rugby and focus on several upcoming domestic and international engagements,” the club stated.
The statement also states that selection of applicable candidates will be based on merit as to the conditions of the clubs requirements.
