A frustrated Waratahs outfit snubbed the post-match function hosted by the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua last night after their 28-14 loss in the sweltering heat of Churchill Park in Lautoka.
The function is a long-standing gesture of respect and appreciation for the hosts' hospitality – one that all visiting teams honour.
However, the Waratahs' absence broke from this convention, and failed to show up.
The frustration was first exposed during their post match press conference when head coach Dan McKellar was asked by a fijivillage Sports journalist about their take away from the loss and if they are disappointed with the results.
He says there were too many errors and turn overs that the Drua thrived on.
On the other hand, Captain Hugh Sinclair, while remaining level headed, says he is a lot more pleased with that result than some of their other away games.
He says they stayed in that fight the whole game, and it is probably the toughest away trip they are going to do.
Sinclair says they have got to win away from home if they are going to go deep in the competition, and they have not done that so far.
In other round 10 matches of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific, the Crusaders defeated the Blues 25-22, the Brumbies thumped Moana Pasifika 24-0, the Chiefs thrashed the Highlanders 46-10 while the Hurricanes and Forced finished the match in a 17-all draw.
Meanwhile, the Fijian Drua will take on Moana Pasifika at 4.35pm on Saturday.
The Chiefs take on the Western Force at 7.05pm on Friday, the Reds take on the Blues at 9.35pm on Friday, on Saturday, the Highlanders face the Crusaders at 7.05pm while the Brumbies face the Hurricanes at 9.35pm.
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