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Drua set Super Rugby Pacific sights high after Fiji's World Cup campaign

Fijian Drua celebrate after a try during the round three Super Rugby Pacific match between Fiji Drua and Crusaders at Churchill Park, on March 11, 2023, in Lautoka, Fiji. (Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)

Fijian Drua head coach Mick Byrne has warned Super Pacific Rugby opponents that his team are only going to get better after reaching the knockout stages for the first time last season.

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Fiji’s eye catching performances at the Rugby World Cup in France with a squad dominated by Drua players has served to reinforce his view that this could be an even better season with the team able to enjoy another seven home games in front of their passionate fans.

Byrne, whose team lost to eventual champions Crusaders in the quarter-finals, told FijiLive: “The expectations are on us to improve in 2024. While we get better, our opponents are getting better as well and we have to improve more. Our possession has been really good and the Flying Fijians have come back [from the World Cup] as leaders within the programme. We are setting our targets on getting to the next step [in Super Pacific Rugby] and aiming for a home quarter-final.

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      “The match in Christchurch against the 12 time Super champions Crusaders was a big learning opportunity and gave us a good insight for the next season. Our belief has always been that we are good enough but we had to build confidence and belief within our camp. When we started our journey for 2023 there were questions about whether we could compete at the top end of Super Rugby.”

      Byrne believes the time he has spent getting to know the players and the country has helped him understand the particular pressures and expectation on the Drua squad and added: “Living in Fiji and understanding village life and what rugby means here has been humbling. We don’t shy away from the responsibility that comes with it.

      “It is more than the game – it’s about the people and everything you do.”

      The Fijian Drua will again play their seven home games in Fiji with their first round of the competition taking them away to the Blues on February 24. The first home game of the new season is a blockbuster fixture against champions the Crusaders on March 9 at Lautoka.

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      Comments

      2 Comments
      R
      Rugby 393 days ago

      Fiji should be good if the AB’s aka THE PACIFIC LIONS do not poach their talented naturally skillful players. Ditto also leave Samoa and Tonga alone, please, kerekere, fa'amolemole, kataki. Let 2024 be a year that NZ trust their famous rugby system and pick their own players. ………waiting for the new THE PACIFIC LIONS to be named. any bets on % of non NZ born players in the team ?

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      R
      RedWarrior 20 minutes ago
      Many England fans echoing the same gripe following Six Nations loss

      The English defense was excellent in the first half. This is considering Ireland's attack has improved significantly since the Autumn with former Leinster attack coach Goodman. Ireland were beaten by NZ in the Autumn, are behind SA and arguably behind France so de facto 4th in order (rankings take time to catch up) As Eddie Jones said Ireland are still in that elite group so England's domination in the first half is noteworthy.

      I believe they have spent the time since the Autumn largely on defence. On broken play they were relying on Smiths instint along with some jiggery pokery. For Smiths early line break a Twindaloo blocked Baird which left the gap for smith. It looked like he did Aki, but Baird was a little late arriving and clever play by Tom Curry allowed the gap for Smith. Earls line break was Smith spotting Baird coming out and beating him with a beautiful pass to Earl.

      We saw the rehearsed plays for a couple of Ireland's tries. The Aki try was just identifying that England tended to hide Smith on the wing creating a vulnerability which Ireland exploited with one of Akis great finishes.

      Although Ireland were relaxing at the end the two English tries were good enough quality and we may see more of it next week (Scotland will also have taken note).

      Although on the easier side of the draw Borthwick almost took England to a RWC final.

      But in common with the top4 you need to have firepower to get those tries in big games. Can Borthwick manage that? I don't think so.

      Next week even if England have a great first half again, you would be looking at France converting 3 of those Irish chances and pushing on after the break.

      Can Borthwick develop a plan to beat France in the next few years. If the answer is no England need to find someone who can.

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