“We can’t afford to wait for the Waratahs to do something on attack and then we react,” he said.
Swire Shipping Fijian Drua players from left: Maleli Nauvasi, Frank Lomani and Simeli
Tuiteci at Damodar City complex in Labasa on April 17, 2025. Photo: Sampras Anand
Injured Fijian Drua halfback, Frank Lomai, believes setting the momentum early and be able to score points would be critical in tomorrow’s clash against the NSW Waratahs.
The Drua faces the Waratahs in round 10 of the Super Rugby Pacific clash at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
Speaking to SUNsports in Labasa yesterday, Lomani, said they had to throw the first punch while on attack.
“We can’t afford to wait for the Waratahs to do something on attack and then we react,” he said.
Lomani admitted the team’s slow reaction and not controlling the early possession had been their downfall this season.
The Drua is last on the points table with one win and seven losses.
“Early pressure is crucial to put our opponents off their game,” he reiterated.
Lomani said there is no room to underestimate the Waratahs because they had beaten the Super Rugby top ranked side, Chiefs 21-14 last Friday.
When asked whether the Drua needed to take early points from penalty kicks.
Lomani said that could be a plan but he believes that it depend on the situation on the field.
“I think if we don’t get an outcome of scoring a try, we should then take kicks to keep the scoreline ticking,”
He also highlighted that repetition of mistakes inside the opposition half should be avoided this weekend.
Defensively, Lomani said they had to maintain low yellow card offenses.
“We have to be patient and not get carried away or get carded,” he said.
Lomani remains optimistic that the Drua will be a changed outfit on Saturday.
He said they had to go back to their original attacking game of using broken play to create attacks.
“We have our structure game, but, unpredictable rugby is also important if we are to win,” Lomani said.
The 28-year-old is ruled out of the season due to a shoulder injury.
Referees call unpredictable
Lomani said they had suffered at the hands of the match official in some of their defeats with questionable calls.
However, Lomani said they had to play smart rugby to break the opposition defence without getting penalised.
Feedback: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj
