Daunting task for Drua in Brisbane
Glen Jackson working with the Fiji national team in 2021.
Photo:
PHOTOSPORT
It will be no easy task for the Fijian Drua, beating the Reds at home in Brisbane on Saturday night.
Head coach Glen Jackson told journalists during the week in Nadi his side want to end their season on a high.
But Jackson said that is a mammoth task for his players, who are now playing for pride with the post-season out of reach.
"We got a pretty daunting task against the Reds," he said.
"We need to put on a great performance just to finish on a high note for our boys."
Drua are
sitting at 10th spot at the moment
, three points behind the Western Force.
The Highlanders are in 11th spot, tied with the Drua at 20 points but with one fewer win than the Fijian side's four wins so far.
If the Drua beat the Reds, they will jump ahead of the Force, who have finished their regular matches and are out of the play-offs as well.
If the Highlanders win and the Drua lose, then the Dunedin team will get ninth placing, leaving Drua at the bottom of the standings.
If both teams lose then there will be no change to the current placings.
Fijian Drua v Chiefs, Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji.
Photo:
Kirk Corrie/ActionPress
Jackson said they are focused on what they need to do, and are taking some confidence out of their win over the Brisbane franchise the last time they met.
"The last time we played them we were lucky enough to get the win there," he said.
"That is not going to change too much. They like to keep the ball alive and play a lot of rugby.
"We need to front up through the middle with our forward pack. That's certainly where you win or lose the game against the Reds."
Jackson has kept the same team that defeated the Western Force in Lautoka three weeks ago.
That includes the halves combination of former under-20 reps Phillip Baselala and Isaiah Washington-Ravula.
"It is important for me to understand who we thought is the best team," he said.
"The mentality of our boys is to keep everyone on edge. Disappointing to be involved in our last game and miss the chance for the play-off."
The game will be a milestone for two senior players, co-captain Tevita Ikanivere and lock Isoa Nasilasila.
The duo will be playing their 50th Super Rugby games for the Drua, the first of the lot to achieve that in the club's four-year history.
Both have been named in the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, the Reds, who are in fifth position and have a chance to finish fourth, have named Fijian heritage player, Filipo Daugunu, on the bench.
Reds head coach Les Kiss said Daugunu will have impact off the bench this week.
Big news for the side is the return of Wallabies centre, Josh Flook.
Flook has been selected to play his first match for the Reds since the repair of the hamstring injury he suffered against the Western Force on 1 March in round three.
The Reds said the 55-game Reds regular will reboot his midfield partnership with Hunter Paisami for this final regular-season match.
Flook said the Drua would be unpredictable opponents at Suncorp Stadium.
"The Fijians are dangerous all over the park. They have props and hookers who run faster than some backs," he said.
"They have backrowers who are like wingers. They play up-tempo and chance their hand so we have to be on our game."
The Reds will wear the indigenous jersey, designed by former Reds women's prop Madi Schuck, as part of the Queensland Rugby Union's 14th annual indigenous round.
Coach Kiss said Drua will not be easy to handle.
"The Drua are always a dangerous opponent as we found out in Suva earlier this month.
"We can't drop our guard."
The Reds host the Drua at 9.35pm (Fiji time) on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium.
The Fijian Drua match-day 23
: 1. Haereiti Hetet, 2. Tevita Ikanivere (Captain), 3.Samuela Tawake, 4. Mesake Vocevoce, 5. Isoa Nasilasila, 6. Etonia Waqa, 7. Motikiai Murray, 8. Kitione Salawa, 9. Phillip Baselala, 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11. Taniela Rakuro, 12. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 13. Iosefo Masi, 14. Ponipate Loganimasi, 15. Selestino Ravutaumada; Bench: 16. Zuriel Togitama, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Mesake Doge, 19. Joseva Tamani, 20. Elia Canakaivata, 21. Simione Kuruvoli, 22. Inia Tabuavou, 23. Isikeli Rabitu.
The Reds match-day 23
: 1. Sef Fa'agase, 2. Richie Asiata, 3. Zane Nonggorr, 4. Josh Canham, 5. Ryan Smith, 6. Joe Brial, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott (c), 10. Tom Lynagh, 11. Tim Ryan, 12. Hunter Paisami, 13. Josh Flook, 14. Lachie Anderson, 15. Jock Campbell; Bench - 16. Josh Nasser, 17. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18. Nick Bloomfield, 19. Angus Blyth, 20. John Bryant, 21. Kalani Thomas, 22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23. Filipo Daugunu.
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