8 Nov 2017

Sport: Fijian Drua label debut season a success

1:42 pm on 8 November 2017

The Fijian Drua have labelled their debut season in the Australian National Rugby Championship a success, despite fading badly in the back-end of the campaign.

The Drua were thumped 57-21 by Queensland Country in their semi final clash on Sunday.

Former Fiji 7s representative Filipo Daugunu in full flight for Queensland Country against the Drua.

The Fijian Drua suffered a second loss against Queensland Country in the space of three weeks. Photo: QRU Media/Australian Rugby

It was their third defeat on the trot and fourth loss in five games, including two at home.

Head coach Senirusi Seruvakula said their original aim was to make the playoffs and they achieved that.

"It's a massive progress for us: our first year for the semi finals and I'm very proud of the boys - we made it into the semi finals for our first year," he said.

"And regarding six of our players going to the Europe tour (with the Flying Fijians) and some of the injuries but we're not complaining about it in the semi final but it's a massive progress our first year.

"We were in the semi final and we have to learn what expectation it is (on the team) and there's a lot of positives to regard from this tournament."

The Fijian Drua huddle together.

The Fijian Drua huddle together. Photo: Australian Rugby

Senirusi Seruvakula admits the NRC experience has been a big learning curve for the team.

"It's just discipline and then momentum and consistency from the players," he said.

"As we all know these are all local players and they really need to step up because of the competition from back home and we need to regroup every week and get ready for every gameday playing against these professional players.

"This is what they do as a living: they train, they play every week but for us the local boys - a lot of them without jobs - we need to have the right attitude going into this tournament."

Senirusi Seruvakula said the Drua they were unlucky in the second half of the season, as injuries, long-term suspensions and selection for higher honours tested their playing depth, but believes they have proved themselves to be a genuine threat in the competition.

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