Drua Coach Aims to Secure a Bonus Point Win over Moana Pasifika
“The beauty of this competition is that bonus points are part of your success. That means as we get to the end of this game we have to stay on no matter where we are.
Wednesday 24 April 2024 | 12:26
After two consecutive Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific losses, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua must put a stop to it against Moana Pasifika on Saturday.
This was stressed by Drua head coach Mick Byrne during a press conference at the Drua homebase in Legalega, Nadi, yesterday. The Drua lost their last two matches to the Rebels 41-20 and Hurricanes 38-15.
“This is an important game for us, and we have to keep winning,” Byrne emphasised.
“The beauty of this competition is that bonus points are part of your success. That means as we get to the end of this game we have to stay on no matter where we are.
“We have to make sure that if we are behind we have to get those bonus points and we have to maintain that status.”
Drua and Moana Pasifika are level on the points table. The only difference is the Drua’s better points differential, which gives them seventh place.
Moana Pasifika beat the Drua 39-36 in their early encounter during the Super Round in Melbourne, Australia.
Byrne said the only way the Drua can register a bonus point win is through discipline.
“The big thing for us is to improve in our discipline. We have to continue to do that against Moana. We just have to hang on to the ball. We have to be a little bit more accurate in our execution.”
The 66-year-old said this is very crucial if they need to improve and put a halt on their losing run.
The wily coach said the players need to improve on their handling errors, which was evident against the Hurricanes.
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua halfback Moses Sorovi during training at the Drua homebase in Legalega, Nadi on April 18, 2024. Photo: Fijian Drua
“I think we don’t want to do that again. We are just training as usual, and I think handling errors is just part of the game. We will continue to train and prepare ourselves.”
“We work hard and we have got a lot of physicality in our training. We are not going to be doing anything out of the ordinary in our preparation.”
Byrne said the after the loss to the Hurricanes, the players have put that behind them and are now focused on the Moana Pasifika game.
“What I do know is the mentality of players coming on Monday was focused on training,” he added.
The match kicks-off at 2.05pm at Churchill Park, Lautoka.
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