No Tomorrow for Drua
Fiji Airways Drua Head Coach Senirusi Seruvakula and his men have just one job left for this Saturday’s National Rugby Championship grand final at Churchill Park in Lautoka, beat QLD Country.
The two teams have met on three previous occasions and the Australian’s have the balance of the ledger, but the cool headed Coach says his team is quietly confident they can do what it takes to secure victory on the weekend.
“There is only one team left to beat and that is QLD Country” he said.
“We’ve heard their coach talk about them being full of confidence, and for us we have to take that same confidence into the match. Both teams want to win on Saturday.”
Seruvakula has named an unchanged starting XV for the final with just one change to the reserves, dynamic winger Avete Daveta returns to the team replacing Lepani Raiyala and the Coach will be looking for the maturity and consistency from his team that they’ve displayed in the last few rounds.
“We don’t need to look back to our game against QLD Country, we just need to build from what we’ve been doing these last few weeks.”
“The boys know it’s going to be a tough encounter, they’ll have to put their bodies on the line and leave nothing in the tank on the weekend.”
QLD Country made short work of the Western Force in their semi final match on the Gold Coast and the Drua are aware the battle will be fierce up front again this weekend.
“The thing about QLD Country is they play a similar style of rugby to us with a lot of individual talent which makes both teams so dangerous.”
“Our forwards have to step up and do their jobs and the bench will be ready when their time is called.”
This weekend’s match will be a winner takes all affair with the Drua deciding to put the Horan Little Shield up for challenge.
The Fiji Airways Drua take on QLD Country in the National Rugby Championship Final at Churchill Park, Lautoka on Saturday 27th October. Kick off is 3.30pm.
Tickets are on sale at Lautoka City Council and the FRU, $10 for Grandstand, $5 for Embankment and children under 12 free.
NRC Grand Final Fiji Airways Drua team to take on QLD Country
Saturday 27th October – 3.30pm
Churchill Park, Lautoka
1. Joeli Veitayaki
2. Mesulame Dolokoto
3. Benji Makutu
4. Peni Naulago
5. Albert Tuisue
6. Mosese Voka ©
7. Jone Navori
8. Eremasi Radrodro
9. Frank Lomani
10. Alivereti Veitokani
11. Aporosa Tabulawaki
12. Cyril Reece
13. Apisalome Vota
14. Levani Kurumudu
15. Apisalome Waqatabu
RESERVES
16. Ratunaisa Navuma
17. Eroni Mawi
18. Luke Tagi
19. Tevita Naqali
20. Johnny Dyer
21. Peni Matawalu
22. Enele Malele
23. Avete Daveta