Don't rely on the fans, players told

A winning team does not play to the crowd or rely on their fans for victory. This was the view of former Fiji and Queensland Reds prop Peni Volavola.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday; Volavola said this is the very at­titude the Fijian Drua team must adopt.

"We've a good Drua team," he said. "However, they cannot rely on their fans for victory. They cannot play to the crowd and expect to win. The Drua players must go in and do their job of securing the win- this is regardless of whether the crowd is behind them or against them. This what makes a great team."

The Australian Level 2 coach said the Drua team must lift their game to beat the Blues at Eden Park, Auckland, on Saturday to end their away game losing streak.

"This should be a challenge for the players and coaches," he said.

Volavola highlighted that the Drua was capable of beating the Reds in Lautoka last Saturday, but it did not happen because they were not ready for it.

"It was not the same Drua side that beat the Brumbies, a fortnight ago."

He indicated that the downfall of the Frank Lomani captained-Drua side was their weak defence.

"The Drua should always remem­ber that defence wins games. The rush-up defence we saw against the Brumbies was missing this time.

"Look at the Reds, they were com­municating all the time as they lined-up their defence and were al­ways rushing up to stop the Drua players with their one-on-one tack­les."

Volavola said another issue was that there was no direction in the team.

"The energy from the Brumbies game was not there. The players looked frustrated, confused and made simple handling mistakes.

"What made it worse was when the vice-captain (Isoa Nasilasila) and captain Frank (Lomani) left the field. There was no one leading and players like Elia Canakaivata took matters into his hand with quick taps. Elia (Canakaivata) is a strong number eight but he cannot play individually. He made some strong carries but got isolated from his team-mates where he lost posses­sion and was often penalised. That

is why we need experienced players to lead from the front."

Volavola said playing under heavy ground conditions would be benefi­cial for the Drua, if they kept play­ing the ball in Reds territory.

"That can only happen if they kick the ball behind them and pin them back with their strong defence," he added.