Jackson hopes for winning farewell with Drua

Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson is hopeful that they beat the Queensland Reds in Brisbane, Australia, tomorrow night so they can register their sixth Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific win this season.

This will be Jackson’s final Super Rugby game with the Drua as he leaves at the end of the season.

Speaking to SUNsports, Jackson said his journey is a good return for the club, that is only five years old.

“I hope that, eventually, there might be a silverware that comes to this club", he said.

“But there are only a very few teams that have actually lifted trophies.”

Jackson said the team tried hard to get to where it wanted.

“This is what we’ve been striving for. The fans, keep supporting, but they must understand what these young men are trying to do.

“Now we are about to play our final match of the season. It has been a tough road for the boys throughout the season and now we’re reaching the final of the draw.”

Jackson also expressed his gratitude to the fans.

“A massive thank you for the support. I really appreciate it, obviously. This is a country full of enthusiastic rugby people, very knowledgeable rugby people and

people that spend a lot of time and effort to get to our games,” he said.

“I thank them immensely. It’s always a delight walking around Fiji and the support that you feel for what the brand means. I suppose my message to the fans is that this is a really tough competition.

“Our boys give everything to make themselves proud, their families proud and the fans proud. But you look at the competition again this year, and it’s dominated, by the New Zealand teams who have been around for 30 years.”

Jackson said it is important for the Drua players to do everything they’ve been doing in training.

“Obviously, it’s a short week, a tough week in terms of travel. Sometimes it’s good as well in terms of rugby players, especially knowing this is the last time a lot of these guys have put on the blue jersey.”

Jackson said he was emotional while naming the team.

“We’ve got nine guys lucky enough to be in this team. That original player from the first year, so being with them, feels like a long time,” he said.

“If you include the Flying Fijians, obviously, for a couple of years. So, seven years of some of these boys and now it’s time for someone else to take the reins. It’s certainly a great, great team to be part of. Great for my family and we’re grateful for having the five years here.”

The match kicks off at 9:30pm.