Fiji Airways Drua should go down trying, no biting or eye-gouging

The Fiji Airways Drua hit the headlines since we made our debut in the National Rugby Championship against Brisbane City on September 2 at Ballymore.

We had a feel, tested the ground, made our presence felt, played our style and exceeded expectations in the 45-36 loss.

But we tainted our image and brand when a few days later, hooker Samu Suguturaga was handed hefty 20-week ban for biting the ear of Brisbane City hooker Andrew Ready.

A judiciary hearing dealt out the massive punishment for the heinous act on Ready.

In round five of the NRC last week, we suffered heavily losing to the Vikings 66-5 in a off colour performance under floodlights in Canberra.

And to rub the salt to the wound, centre and Connacht –bound Eroni Vasiteri was handed a nine weeks suspension for eye-gouging Canberra Vikings hooker Folau Faingaa.

It’s unfortunate that we are the only team being cited for this heinous act and we need to nip it in the bud and bounce back playing our own brand of exciting rugby.

It’s amazing that even though we are on the wrong side of the law and recorded a big penalty count in the last five rounds we are still fourth on the standings. But the war has yet to be won as the battle has just started. They need to reset, regroup as they   need to win the NRC round six match against Greater Sydney Rams at TG Milne Field today.

The John Stewart –captained team are on fourth spot in NRC ladder and the Rams fifth and they can’t afford to slip as they will take a bye in round seven.

They will have a home advantage by playing the two remaining games at home against Radike Samo’s table topper Queensland Country at Churchill Park, Lautoka on October 21 and Sydney Rays at the ANZ Stadium in Suva on October 28. Time to be smart, play tough clean rugby.

Feedback:  oseab@fijisun.com.fj