The Mick Byrne coached- Swire Shipping Fijian Drua side is ready to play the Blues in Saturday’s Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinal.

The Drua secured their spot after the 40-19 bonus point win over Melbourne Rebels at Lautoka’s Churchill Park. The Meli Derenalagi-captained side finished seventh on the points table as they make the playoffs for the second year in-a-row since making their Super Rugby debut in 2022.

Last year, the Drua lost 49-8 to eventual winners Crusaders in their quarterfinal clash in Christchurch.

“We now know what it’s like to play in the quarterfinals,” Byrne said.

“We notice a big step-up, the intensity and we’ll be ready for that. But our week won’t change other than there’ll be a lot of energy around it, for our work to be done. We’re coming off a good victory.”

The wily coach said the side had to get around their families and friends to enjoy getting into the quarterfinals, recover and it’s all back to business from Monday.

“Well surely that’ll be the moment and we’ll just have get on and prepare for the Blues. It will be a big challenge for us. Last year we played the Crusaders and we went down to their home ground and you know it was going to be an interesting quarterfinal.

“We’re ready for that. We know we learned from last year, the teams will step up. We’re going to be ready to step-up.”

Byrne said when a team finishes in seventh to eighth spot they would be playing the top one or two.

“So, you find someone from the best two sides. So that’s the challenge. You’re going to be a favourite for the tournament.”

CHALLENGE

Byrne said the players and coaching staff would turn up today and be excited by the challenge.

“They’ll get themselves fully prepared for it. It has been fantastic; it’s been a pleasure and one of the most grateful jobs I’ve ever had. This game is for our fans.”

He thanked the fans for their participation at the home games.

“Honestly, I don’t ever use a word about rugby in Fiji- it is the joy. The tears it’s a great learning and at the end of the career you learn so much about the game by being here and the fans are awesome. This team is improving every week. They love playing in front of the fans.

“Credit to the players, we got the first part of it right, obviously you know, our hearts go out to the Rebels about the news they got on Thursday.”

POWER OF ONE

Byrne said the team played as a unit as they were able to hold the Rebels 19-19 at halftime.

“We have a chance to show the fans what they mean to us and what the competition means to the boys. We came in at halftime and the message was to take it up and express themselves. We did well just at the end of the second half.”

Byrne said he was impressed with rookie winger Waqa Nalaga, first-five eighth Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Meli Tuni and halfback Frank Lomani.

“Simione Kuruvoli is still recovering from an injury he got last week. He tried to get through it again in a short week. It is tough trying to come back and ensure he can, but it didn’t come out well,” he added.

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