The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua are treating their Round 14 Super Rugby Pacific match against Highlanders as final.

Head coach Mick Byrne said yesterday the motivation is finals footy.

“The motivation is finals footy, it’s in our hands and we need to perform well to secure that top eight finish,” Bryne said yesterday.

“The morale is high, and we just have to make sure that we stay focused in our role.”

“The win against Reds is behind us, the focus is now on the Highlanders. There were couple of misreads on defence in the first half; got lot more physical and domination in our defence in the second half last week.

“We’ve been much disciplined, got a couple of penalties around our scrum which has been dominant in the last few weeks.

“We just have to revisit our setups at scrum time, to continue maintaining our onside defensive setup against Highlanders.”

Byrne said the smartest decision to make in their position is to keep winning.

“If you’re in the top eight, you need to keep winning to remain in your spot or better; and if you lose; you’re depending on another teams’ results,” he said.

“Our focus is getting the job done on Sunday against Highlanders, and remain in the top eight.”

Byrne said the success of the team’s performance influences the recognition of the individual impact players.

“As long as our team is playing well it’s going to help our individuals as we move forward,” he said.

“It’s pleasing as these players are starting out in their professional careers and for them to get some recognition will help them for opportunities later down the track along with confidence building as well.”

Byrne said Caleb Muntz has been training with contact last week.

“He hasn’t played for a long time; we just need to give a little bit more experience around the contact area and get the confidence in his game,” he said.

Haereiti Hetet is expected to return to train with the team next week.

“He’s been doing rehab running this week and he’s on the training track next week; I’m not sure on what level as it depends how he goes the next few days,” Byrne said.

Byrne backs Jackson 

Meanwhile Byrne said it was a great appointment for the Fijian Drua franchise to have Glen Jackson as their new head coach for the next three years.

“I’ve known him for over 20 years as a friend and a colleague and he’ll do a great job. The relationship with the Flying Fijians and the Fijian Drua will be nice and close; we’ll work well for the growth of pathways for young people coming through the country who aspire to be Flying Fijians,” he said.

Byrne said Jackson’s appointment is an opportunity for the former referee to grow his coaching career.

Feedback: ioane.asioli@fijisun.com.fj