Back to the tough stuff for Drua

The Fiji Airways Drua have faced a tough post match review following their disappointing 52 – 22 loss to QLD Country in Mackay on the weekend.

After two strong opening rounds against Melbourne Rising and Brisbane City, the Drua were outplayed in almost all areas of the field on Saturday and Head Coach Senirusi Seruvakula has not held back in his assessment of the team’s performance.

“We had a very honest review before we left Mackay, I was quite ruthless in my feedback to the boys.” he said.

“We need to improve across all areas of the field, our defence, our set pieces, the lot.”

“When we deliver on the patterns we know work for us and play to our structure, we’re good, when we don’t, we pay the price.”

“The boys were all very disappointed but that game is gone, we have to turn around and get ready to take the win this Sunday (against Sydney.)”

The team have settled into their training base in Lennox Head, NSW and Seruvakula says the squad is determined to make amends for their last hit out.

“We got beaten at our own game last week and sometimes a loss is good to bring you back to earth” he said.

“The Aussies are clearly reviewing our games, learning more about our players and against an experienced side like QLD Country you have to concentrate.”

“So this week we will get back to our physicality; get back to conditioning and the toughness that we know works for us.”

The Drua flew into Queensland with two days to prepare for the match against the equally placed QLD Country side and for some of the 26 player squad, it was the first taste of short turnaround touring.

“This was the first time for some of the new boys having to travel and play a game straight away, but we’re not going to use these excuses.”

“We just need to be more focussed in our training and get our standards back up to where we know we can be.”

The Fiji Airways Drua will meet Sydney Rays for round 4 of the NRC at Concord Oval this Sunday 23rd September at 5pm Fiji Time.