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Waratahs focused on ‘doing a job’ in Fiji in bid to get season back on track
Rain, hail or shine, the NSW Waratahs plan on “doing a job” on the Fijian Drua in a desperate bid to reignite their Super Rugby Pacific finals hopes.
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The Waratahs will take on the Drua in front of almost 15,000 rabid fans at a sold-out Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday knowing their season likely hinges on victory.
Both sides are one from four this campaign after both recording upset wins over the defending champion Crusaders.
Back-rower Langi Gleeson, one of four NSW players with Fijian heritage, has warned teammates they’ll be entering a cauldron.
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
1
Draws
0
Wins
4
Average Points scored
20
38
First try wins
80%
Home team wins
60%
“It’s almost like it’s a fortress,” Gleeson said before Friday’s captain’s run.
“It’s always tough to verse the Drua, especially in their hometown. Their crowd certainly gets behind them and it’s hard to shut them down.
“Especially with the heat and humidity, with the crowd as well, I’m sure we’ll remember this game for the rest of our careers.
“But we’ll try and do a job on them this Saturday.”
The Fiji weather office forecast heavy rain and issued flood warnings this week, but more of a concern for the Waratahs will be Drua coach – and former Wallabies assistant – Mick Byrne’s claim that his players are nearing peak fitness already this season.
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Despite their 1-3 record, the Drua outscored the Blues – last-start winners over the Waratahs – in the second half, and also Moana Pasifika, as well as keeping the Crusaders to zero after the interval.
“My most physical games have been against the Drua,” Gleeson said.
“A lot of sore bodies for like two weeks after playing the Drua so it’s just about getting in those contacts and wrapping the ball.”
Unbeaten in four meetings with the Drua, the Tahs are coming off consecutive two-point home defeats to the Highlanders and Blues.
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But the narrow losses have buoyed Darren Coleman’s troops rather than deflated them.
“It gives us a lot of confidence to match those teams, as opposed to last year; we wouldn’t even get close to them,” Gleeson said.
“We’re improving every week and there’s a lot to learn from that game against the Blues.”
In a double-header treat for fans, the Waratahs women also will face the defending champion Fijian Drua in a rematch of last year’s semi-final.
Comments on RugbyPass
I guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
43 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
4 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
43 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
43 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
4 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
6 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
6 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to comments