Queensland Country coach Brad Thorn has put all teams reaching the playoffs of the Australian National Rugby Championships on notice that the Fiji Airways Drua will be hard to beat if they qualify.

Thorn, who took over the helm as head coach for the visiting side this year and catapulting them to lead the points table, says, the Fijian offloads and speed were their main weapon.

Thorn said this was a wonderful game of football.

“The Drua side was good and dangerous and they went down fighting to the last second.

“For us we were a young team and we worked hard and that was the result.

“I was really pleased with our scrums and for that it’s been growing every week.

“We have been working on our defence every week and the Drua have big strong men.

“This is a big moment for us because this has put us through to the finals.”

Thorn said his side had been occupying bottom spot for the last four years.

If the Drua reach the playoffs, Thorn says, they would be a tough team to beat.

“Fiji is very good in keeping the game alive.

“I said to the players that this was going to be a tough game playing in the hot sun.”

Meanwhile, Fiji Airways Drua head coach Senirusi Seruvakula rued missed opportunities.

“We had a lot of opportunities but players failed to communicate.

“We cannot afford that at this stage. We were at our green zone and then we came back to our red zone and then we started all over again.

“We were beaten by a good side.

“Our objective was to win and win well so we can maintain our standard in the top four.

“Our chance now is playing against the Sydney Rams next week in Suva and we need to win that match. Discipline is the main area we have to work on.”
Three Drua players copped yellow cards in the encounter.

Edited by  Osea  Bola

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