Fijian Drua coach Mike Byrne is keeping his cards close to his chest ahead of their opening game Friday against the Waratahs who are not buying into talks that the Fijian franchise will be a walkover.
It’s the first game of our existence, so we know what we need to get through, he said after their first training session yesterday, three days after their 28-26 defeat of Melbourne Rebels in their first and only Super Rugby Pacific preseason.
“Boys are in great shape. This is why they signed up to be part of Super Rugby. We are working hard,” Byrne said in the lead-up to the 8.45 pm (Fiji Time) clash against the Waratahs at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta in three days’.
However, Waratahs attack coach Chris Whitaker reportedly told the Australian media that he is having none of it, describing the Fijian Drua as a “dangerous team” based on their performances during the National Rugby Championship from 2017-2019 and their win over the Rebels last week.
“They live for it,” Whitaker told Australian Associated Press. “They’re freak athletes. They’re not short on recruiting some talent, that’s for sure.”
Photo: File/Fijian Drua
