Drua’s Running Rugby Adds Spark To 2022 Pacific Super Rugby
Their first Super Rugby match is against New South Wales Warratahs on February 18.
Thursday 03 February 2022 | 16:00
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua scrum-half Leone Nawai during their Internal Trials at the Ballina Rugby Union Club ground on January 31,2022.Photo: Kev Nagle Photography
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua interim chief executive officer Brian Thorburn says that there has been a lot of positive response from franchise clubs playing in the 2022 Super Rugby.
According to Thorburn, Australian franchise sides like the NSW Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, Queensland Reds and the Melbourne Rebels are excited and look forward to playing the Fijian Drua in the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Speaking to Sunsports Thorburn says: “The Fijian Drua brings excitement to the Super Rugby competition.”
“There has been a lot of positive responds from franchises across New Zealand as well they are leaders for driving our participation into the competition,” he said.
“Likewise the other franchises in Australia are excited about the Fijian Drua participating in the Super Rugby because they enjoy the style of play that we bring to the competition - the Drua add spark to the competition with their running rugby.
“They agree that Drua will bring a lot of excitement and energy to the competition. They have been very supportive towards us.
“Australia always open their doors to us in our preparations, they provided us with the facilities to set up our base there.”
Thorburn added that the team head into recovery mode after two weeks of solid training.
“The coaching staff have been ramping the intensity of our game,” he said.
“We are two weeks away from our first Super Rugby game and we have been training under high intensity - so we are looking to recover.
“It is the first time ever that they have to train in a very high intensity environment.
“This is the big boys’ tournament so we have to rest well before our first game.”
“The team are very happy, there are in a good frame of mind because the facilities have been amazing.
“ We have everything we need to prepare.
Thorburn added that there was no injuries in the team.
“ I’m not aware of any injuries at the moment otherwise there are couple of guys who were under rehab already and were getting intensive care treatment, players like Teti Tela.”
The Fijian Drua side are playing a warm-up match against Melbourne Rebels next Thursday, February 10.
Their first Super Rugby match is against New South Wales Warratahs on February 18.
Feedback: simione.haravanua@fijisun.com.fj
