The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua’s Super Rugby Pacific 2022 campaign is over.

The 35 – 34 loss to the Gallagher Chiefs last Saturday, was the icing on the cake.

The Nemani Nagusa-captained side registered two wins in their debut year. Again, a remarkable achievement for a newcomer.

So, now what’s next for the Drua?

It has been a demanding season both physically and mentally for the Drua.

The tough matches against the world’s top franchise clubs week in and week out.

The Fijians also had to deal with the global threat of COVID-19 and the devastating floods that forced them to evacuate their training base in Lennox Head, New South Wales.

It was cruel but they survived to do us proud in their first year.

Drua Head Coach Mick Byrne said, for now, the players and officials need time for adequate physical and mental rest.

They also need to spend time with their families after six months of absence.

For our players who are undergoing injury rehab an opportunity to allow the healing process to take place.

At the same time, reviews are being done on their matches with players’ performances being analysed and hard decisions being made on those that did not perform.

Byrne said by the second week of July, the team gets back together and goes into the second phase of their programme.

This is where they lay the foundation of their 2023 Super Rugby campaign.

The team evaluates their performance and set their goals for the upcoming season.

This is where a plan is designed to help achieve their goals.

According to Ohio University’s Master of Athletic Administration, the off-season is where players improve their strength and learn how to correctly access this newfound strength.

No matter the sport, athletes place unequal pressures on parts of their bodies.

These imbalances can be dangerous if left unchecked; therefore, correcting them can improve an athlete’s health and prevent injury.

In other words, the off-season programme helps the players improve their general strength, coordination and movement, strengthen aerobic energy and prevent injuries.

It’s crucial that we must do our off-season programme thoroughly.

This is the way to go if we are to improve on our performance in the next season.

There’s no shortcut to success.

This is the way to go if we are to achieve a top-eight spot next season.

Toso Drua Toso.

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj