Drua set for immense challenge in Christchurch

The Fijian Drua take on the 11-time Super Rugby champions in the quarter final tomorrow.
Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz

It will be a dramatic climatic shift for the Fiji Drua from the humid cauldron of Suva to the arctic chill of Christchurch.

The Fijian side’s strong Super Rugby Pacific run meets a barrier in the form of the competition’s historically dominant force in Saturday night’s quarter-final.

Drua coach Mick Byrne says the Crusaders will be a very different side to the one they defeated in round five in Lautoka.

“We know they are eleven times champions, they’re playing at home, and will be looking to come back at us after we beat them so our expectation is that we’re going to get a pretty good Crusaders side,” Byrne said.

However, Byrne at least doesn’t see the change of weather being a factor as they brace for single-digit celsius conditions in Christchurch.

“It will just be a bit cooler than it is here which which is fine. We might not get the cool here but we certainly get the wetness and slippery surface so the weather won’t be an issue for us.”

Byrne jokes that it’s probably harder for the coaches and the management sitting on the sideline than for the players.

“Once you get out on the field the cold weather is good because you get out and get warm and you get going, it’s probably more comfortable playing in the cold than the heat. I’m sure that they will appreciate the coolness in the air rather than the heat of Suva or Latoka.”

Byrne says his side’s been training with incredibly intensity ahead of their maiden play off appearance.

“The boys flew into each other (at training), it was scary to watch at times hoping we got through it but they are ready physically.”

The Drua booked their play off spot with an impressive 41-17 win over the Reds in Suva last weekend but are under no illusions as to the colossal challenge that awaits them in Christchurch.

Selestino Ravutaumada has been superb for the Drua this season.
Photo: Fiji Drua

“It’s now knockout footy but to be fair, we’ve had a couple of weeks of knockout footy, if we lost against Moana we were probably out of the finals and if we lost against the Reds we were out so the last two games have been cut-throat and we are ready for that.”

The Drua finished the regular season in seventh with six wins and eight losses.

Meanwhile, the second-placed Crusaders have won all 27 of their home play off games since 1998 but Byrne said they are not being overwhelmed by the history.

“I think preparing for quarterfinal grounds us automatically. It’s a big game. We haven’t been here before. You know there’s a there’s an element of preparation that’s needed that we haven’t had before.”

The Crusaders are all too aware of the threat posed by the Drua following their shock 25-24 loss in Latoka in March.

Departing coach Scott Robertson said they are expecting an attacking onslaught in Christchurch.

“They will play their footy, they have clear DNA, they will go back to it and they are good at it, so full respect defensively, when they are on they are on so we have to respect them with out mindset.”

Robertson said he is trying not to look too far ahead as he prepares for his swansong at the helm of the Crusaders and said there is a job to do before he leaves to coach the All Blacks.

“I don’t want to get too nostalgic or reflective too early because I want to try and make sure I get the job right. I’ve got a great environment here which I will miss but there’s a job to do first.”

Crusaders fullback Will Jordan has been in imperious form since his return.
Photo: www.photosport.nz / John Davidson

The Crusaders finally welcome back All Black Ethan Blackadder after three months on the sidelines but will be without skipper Sam Whitelcok.

Blackadder left the field with a calf injury during his side’s win over the Brumbies back in round five in March.

Robertson said it’s a welcome return.

“Just the energy that he brings us at training and when he comes onto the field we’ve missed him, just his professionalism and the impact he has on the game.”

Byrne said they are embracing the underdog tag.

“Coaches always talk about playing a game at a time but when you get to the finals, that’s what it is, if you don’t win this Saturday, you’re out so it’s a great place to be.”

– RNZ