‘Like the NFL game’ says coach

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson said the frequent stoppages disrupted momentum and made the match feel “a bit like an NFL game”.

He did not mince his words after his side’s 40-26 loss to Moana Pasifika in their Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific opener at Churchill Park, Lautoka on Saturday.

“We didn’t get the start that we were after,” Jackson said.

“It seems like it’s becoming a bit of an NFL game here with the length of time and stoppages and teams not getting any momentum.

“I’m not saying we didn’t start well. We obviously let in a try early. But any time we tried to get some momentum, the heat break seemed to stop it.

“It was very hard for everything to get going. Our boys were trying to play fast.

“I get that we want to protect the players, and rugby is about player welfare. But it’s really hard to maintain momentum when you have a 10-minute break and then 20 minutes at halftime.”

Despite the loss, Jackson praised several players for their efforts.

He said debutant Manasa Mataele was impressive, while halfback Issak-Fines Leleiwasa played well and put in a strong shift.

Captain Temo Mayanavanua delivered an 80-minute performance in his first outing for the Drua and led the side well.

Jackson said Kemu Valetini also had a strong first half with his kicking game, which reduced Drua’s advantage.

“We probably kicked a little too much in the first half, given the conditions,” he said.

“We highlighted how good their kicking game was, and they capitalised.

“We didn’t step up for the fans and for the players.

“We talked all week about bringing the passion. We nearly pulled it off. We were probably one pass away from scoring that try, and

I think we would have won the game. But we didn’t.

“They finished with 14 players and hung in there.”

The Drua face the Waratahs next in a quick turnaround in Sydney on Friday.

“Waratahs are Waratahs,” Jackson said.

“We’ve got them after this heat and a six-day turnaround. But it’s important now that we take the positives out of this game.”