Byrne: We Must Keep On Building Up

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Mick Byrne said they must keep building up  despite their 31-26 win over the Melbourne Rebels at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Queensland last Friday night.

The wily coach said their first Super Rugby Pacific win was the outcome of their hardwork.

“They (players) have been working extremely hard since the first day of training and they got their just desserts,” Byrne said.

“We’ve got two players who have Super Rugby experience, so we just have to keep building each week.

“And it’s back to training the next Monday and going again for the next weekend.”

The Fijians face Super AU champions Queensland Reds, who have been unbeaten so far, this Saturday.

The Reds under head coach Brad Thorn have four Fijian players.

They are former rugby league star winger Suliasi Vunivalu, Filipo Daugunu, Ilaisa Droasese and flanker Seru Uru.

However, the Drua have been strengthened with the inclusion of Flying Fijians halfback Frank Lomani.

But the former Northampton Saints rep is not guaranteed a spot in the starting line-up after the sterling performance of Peni Matawalu against the Rebels.

Ratings (/10)

Here’s how we rate our Drua players against the Rebels:

• Kaliopasi Uluilakepa- Another good weekend for the loosehead prop. Strong in the scrums and general play as well: 6
• Tevita Ikanivere- Must work hard in connecting with his jumpers: 5
• Samuela Tawake- Powerful scrummager and solid in defence: 6
• Isoa Nasilasila- Always in thethick of things: 5
• Leone Rotuisolia- Got a yellow card and gave away three penal- ties. Defended well but not one of his best nights: 4
• Meli Derenalagi- Led from the front, made right decisions and played a captain’s game: 7
•  Vilive Miramira- Back to his usual position and was at his best. Ran over 80 metres and kept on questioning the opposition de- fence and managed to score an intercept try: 7
•  Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta- Like Miramira, back to his position and showed his class.He controlled the game from the back of the scrum and combined well with his halfback: 7
• Peni Matawalu- One of his best performances so far. Set-up Apisalome Vota’s try and his ploy to kick behind the opposition was spot on as they pressured the Rebels into mistakes: 7

• Caleb Muntz- His chip kick behind the Rebels defence resulted in Onisi Ratave’s try. He defended well and our future Flying Fijians No.10. He couldn’t complete the game after failing his Head Injury Assessment (H.I.A) test.

• Vinaya Habosi- Always giving his best. Tackled well but needs to work on his discipline in not giv- ing away penalties: 5
• Kalaveti Ravouvou- Very solid in defence and was straightening our line of attacks. He did what was asked of him: 5
• Apisalome Vota- Our player of the match. Scored a try. He made 14 runs, and ran 115 metres, one clean break and beat eight de- fenders: 8
• Onisi Ratave: He brought in the eleventh hour after Baden Kerr was ruled out due to injury. Never gave up and was at his usual best: 6
• Selesitino Ravutaumada:Pushed back to fullback after Kerr was injured. Strong in defence but need to work on his handling: 6

Reserves

• Mesulame Dolokoto: Needs to be aggressive and work hard on his lineout throws: 4
• Timoci Sauvoli: One of the players who has improved and is now making an impact every time he comes in: 6
• Manasa Saulo: Always gives his best and very strong in the scrums: 5
• Viliame Rarasea: Still settling into the game: 4
• Rusiate Nasove: N/A

21. Josh Vuto: N/A

22. Jona Mataiciwa: N/A

23. Teti Tela: Controlled play well when he came in the second half and directed the game from his No.10 spot. Communicated well with his backs and forwards. Kicked over a conversion and four penalties: 7

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj