Drua focus on maintaining discipline and getting their basics right ahead of NRC

By Semi Turaga

Wednesday 22/08/2018

Fiji Airways Drua team at the Sand Dunes in Sigatoka

Getting the basics right and maintaining discipline are two key focus areas for the Fiji Airways Drua team ahead of their opening match against Melbourne Rising in Australia’s National Rugby Championship.

Discipline was a major downfall for the Drua last season with one example being their match against the Sydney Rays last October where the Drua gave away 15 penalties.

In their first home match in Lawaqa Park last season against the New South Wales Country Eagles, the Drua played the second half with just 13 players after two yellow cards.

Drua Coach Senirusi Seruvakula has admitted that discipline was an area of weakness for the team last season and they continue to work together as a team on that area.

The Fijian Drua will have four home games this season.

They will take on the Melbourne Rising in their first home game at 3pm at Ratu Cakobau Park next Saturday.

The Drua’s other home games will be at Churchill Park against Brisbane City on 8th of next month, they will again play at Ratu Cakobau Park against NSW Country Eagles on 29th of next month before taking on the Canberra Vikings at Churchill Park on October 6th.

2018 National Rugby Championship Fixture

ROUND ONE

Saturday September 1

Fiji Drua vs Melbourne Rising, Nausori, Ratu Cakobau Park, 3pm

Canberra Vikings vs Queensland Country, Canberra, Viking Park, 5pm

Sunday September 2

Brisbane City v Western Force, Brisbane, Norths Rugby Club, 3pm

Wednesday September 19th

Sydney vs NSW Country, Sydney, Leichhardt Oval, 7pm

ROUND TWO

Saturday September 8

Fiji Drua vs Brisbane City, Lautoka, Churchill Park, 3pm

Sydney vs Canberra Vikings, Sydney, Concord Oval, 3pm

Sunday September 9

Queensland Country vs Melbourne Rising, Townsville, Mike Carney Park, 3pm

Western Force vs NSW Country Eagles, Perth, UWA Sports Park

ROUND THREE

Saturday September 15

Sydney vs Brisbane City, Sydney, Woollahra Oval, 3pm

NSW Country vs Melbourne Rising, Mudgee, Glen Willow Sports Stadium, 1pm

Queensland Country vs Fiji Drua, Mackay, BB Print Stadium, 1pm

Sunday September 16

Canberra Vikings vs Western Force, Canberra, Viking Park, 3pm

ROUND FOUR

Saturday September 22

Melbourne Rising vs Brisbane City, Adelaide, Bailey Reserve, 12.30pm

Queensland Country vs Western Force, Gold Coast, Bond University, 3pm

Sunday September 23

NSW Country Eagles vs Canberra Vikings, Armidale, UNE Bellevue Oval, 1pm

Sydney vs Fiji Drua, Sydney, Concord Oval, 3pm

ROUND FIVE

Saturday September 29

Fiji Drua vs NSW Country Eagles, Nausori, Ratu Cakobau Park, 3pm

Canberra Vikings vs Melbourne Rising, Canberra, Viking Park, 7pm

Sunday September 30

Brisbane City vs Queensland Country, Toowong, Wests Rugby Club, 3pm

Western Force vs Sydney, Perth, UWA Sports Park, 3pm

ROUND SIX

Saturday October 6

Fiji Drua vs Canberra Vikings, Lautoka, Churchill, 3pm

Queensland Country vs Sydney, Gold Coast, Bond University, 3pm

Sunday October 7

NSW Country Eagles vs Brisbane City, Camden, Camden Rugby Park, 3pm

Melbourne Rising vs Western Force, Geelong, GMHBA Stadium, 3pm

ROUND SEVEN

Saturday October 13

NSW Country vs Queensland Country, Tamworth, Scully Park, 3pm

Western Force vs Fiji Drua, Perth, UWA Sports Park, 2pm

Sunday October 14

Melbourne Rising vs Sydney, Ballarat, St Patrick’s School, 1pm

Brisbane City vs Canberra Vikings, Coorparoo, Easts Rugby Club, 2pm

SEMI FINALS

Saturday October 20

1st vs 4th

Sunday October 21

2nd vs 3rd

The final will be played on Saturday October 27.

Played later to accommodate the Shute Shield final