Why I Played The Four Halfbacks? Byrne Tells
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach, Mick Byrne said he took the risk of fielding four halfbacks in their clash against the Blues last Saturday.
“It was a high risk but a rewarding opportunity,” said Bryne.
Halfbacks Leone Nawai, Peni Matawalu, Frank Lomani and Simione Kuruvoli all got a run at AAMI Park in Melbourne.
Despite the 35-18 loss, Bryne and his men have learned a lot from the game.
In a post conference interview, Byrne said, Kuruvoli had been playing at first five eight for quite a while.
“He has been playing there when Teti Tela was injured before Bayden Kerr came in,” he said.
“Kerr then suffered a concussion during an early training session so Simi was running at 10. He played in that position at a young age and knows how to play at 10, he moves well and has got some speed. Kuruvoli was sent out there to play first-five but he came handy at times when Peni Matawalu was held up and Simi was able to deliver those passes.”
Byrne said Matawalu played well before being replaced by Nawai and obviously Lomani was used at wing since he had been playing there while with the Melbourne Rebels and the Northampton Saints.
“Having any given time we were not going to be short of halfback.
Byrne reiterated that his men are heading towards the right direction.
“I’m proud that we played 80 minutes rugby and the boys out in the field know that we are getting there.
“We carried the ball more and that is something that we lacked in our past games.
“The fact that we repeat that play and were able to ask questions on our opponents.
“I’m pleased with the way we reacted on how we move up on attack and defence.
“Teams are coming up and putting flat lines in but I thought we had put a couple of kicks behind.
“At the end of the day it was a great opportunity for us to look up and see that we can create something out of nothing.”
Feedbacks: simione.haravanua@fijisun.com.fj
