As the National Rugby Competition kicked off its fourth season, there was one main storyline: the Fijian Drua. Three rounds in, it’s clear we need more teams from the islands.
The Drua have enjoyed a successful introduction to the comp, bar one unfortunate biting mishap in the first round.
They have won two of their three games and have fans grinning from ear to ear. They are big, hard-hitting, raw and exciting – the epitome of what Australian fans are missing.
What athletes they are!
It’s quite incredible to see the fabled Fijian style of play up against a clinical Australian club side. Take their latest match, against the New South Wales Country Eagles, it was their first home game and in front of an impressive crowd at Lawaqa Park, the Drua put on a show of true entertainment value.
Backing up Geoff Parkes’ article about the Wallabies’ performance on the weekend, the Drua hold the elusive x-factor that is entertaining, exciting and bringing fans to the game.
The Drua hit hard in defence (and attack), they threw the ball around, they created opportunities and plenty of space out wide, and the result was a masterclass of improvised, running and attacking rugby.
On one play, the Fijians were camped well inside their half. They slickly got the ball to the edge and through strong running, several sets of hands, offloads and interplay, halfback Frank Lomani crossed over for a spectacular try – creating havoc in the grandstands.
The Eagles, to their credit, held onto the game as long as they could, but in the end, they were outmuscled and out skilled, a rare double blow that only a Fijian opposition can muster.
I’ll bet my house that there will be another bumper crowd at this weekend’s home game against the Perth Spirit, because Geoff’s theory is absolutely right: there is plenty of exciting rugby to come.
Luckily enough for us, we get to watch our local heroes go up against the Drua, in our own backyards no less!
It’s an outstanding move by the ARU, however with the early successes of the Drua, they should go further and establish multiple teams from Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Samoa.
(Image: Kevin Juggins)
There is such a strong feeling of pride evident as the men from Fiji run onto the field, which is being emulated by their fans. Teams based in Papua New Guinea, Tonga or Samoa would replicate this strong culture, resulting in some outstanding rugby.
Perhaps this idea will step on the toes of Andrew Forrest’s new Indo Pac plan, but while the details of his competition remain relatively scarce, it’s nice to remain optimistic.
The beautiful thing about this type of expansion is that it will have great benefit to our club players and those on the cusp of earning a Wallabies call-up.
Imagine Tom Banks or Bill Meakes called into the Wallabies squad after a few tough hit-outs against livewire, international opposition. It would be another lesson in their rugby education. Battle-hardened in a tough NRC arena, they would offer something of substance, rather than pose such a big weakness due to lack of experience.
This expansion could then fuel the talks for a new Super Rugby franchise based somewhere in that area, which would be an incredible development for rugby in the Southern Hemisphere.
Admittedly, it’s an idealised world that I live in, far from the issues of money and rugby politics that generally confuses and angers most fans.
But there is an opportunity to strengthen the NRC and it should definitely be taken, especially on the back of the success of the Drua.
Katipo
Guest
It's kinda criminal that Fiji were dumped from the South Pacific Championship in the transition to Super Rugby back in 90s. Fans have been demanding Pacific Islands teams in Super Rugby since it began in 1996 - for rugby reasons. What did we get? Excuses. The first rule of marketing is to find out what your customers want and need, and give it to them. Sanzaar continually fail this basic examination.
ForceFan
Guest
Good point WCR. Where do the $$s come to do all of this island-hopping travel? None of it is cheap. Can we please build the NRC into a successful, sustainable 3rd tier competition as part of the development pathway before we kill it by turning the comp into something that it was never intended to be. Hold off until SR dies before/after 2020 and then focus on establishing a sustainable 2-tier IPRC competition with Australia, New Zealand, Asia & Pacific teams involved.
andrewM
Guest
Perth Rising??
Working Class Rugger
Guest
The Drua backed and funded by World Rugby.
Adding a team or two from the Pacific Islands is a great idea, but remember this is an Australian domestic competition. There are often challenges hough for teams from pther nations that are short on cashto join. In South Africa we often have had invitations for Zimbabwe, Namibia and Kenya to join our domestic comps, but due to funding they have not all participated consistently. Thus it is best to have them as an add on if they can fund themselves a particular year. You might find the Drua could struggle at times to fund themselves, which could lead to breaks in their participation. As long as the door remains open for them.
BrainsTrust
Guest
Fiji and Papua New Guinea fund the teams that play in Australia in rugby codes. Samoa and Tonga are smaller nations without the government budget. I think they would be better off investing the money in local comps. A super rugby team would be different because that would generate revenue and bring a new level of professionalism.With professionalism the amount of travel involved in Super RUgby from the PAcific Islands would be okay. Japan and Argentina though they have I think made their players jet lag victims by putting them in Super Rugby instead. Having non professional players fly in and out of Fiji is of no benefit to them they would not have enough to train and your making them spend their spare time travelling The IRB provides a lot more funding to AUstralia and New Zealand than the Pacific island nations.
Fourteen14
Guest
Sorry but samoa have their super nine comp and dont need aussie help focus on your own teams. Rather we as samoans help build our comp until it generates the level of play like nz not aussie demotion. We love rugby more than australia. Better to focus on our polynesian region so we have options and more pressure to play for the jumper.
cuw
Guest
news in about the restructure super rugger season 2018. http://www.planetrugby.com/news/restructured-2018-super-rugby-season-announced-by-sanzaar/
cuw
Guest
lot of Fijians already in Miter 10. but am sure there is space becoz of the toll of injuries. in addition to those already with super contracts like Macilai Mataele etc., a few new guys running around. one issue with Fiji guys is that most are very good backs , while those available at home are not that good forwards. Miter 10 may be high standard , but is also very physical and attritional. just a few weeks and quite a lot of injuries ...
Benchie
Guest
The biggest issue facing the Drua is Board interference in the selection of players and staff.
Phil
Guest
"The Drua’s introduction to super rugby has been labelled a success" NRC is not super rugby Simon
Phil
Guest
"The Drua’s introduction to super rugby has been labelled a success" NRC is not super rugby Simon
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Good call CP. A few of us were messaging the same thing on Tuesday night after it ran. It was fantastic to see such a warm-hearted story. Let's hope Nacebe's injury isn't too bad. Rugby needs players like him on the field, wherever they're from.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
Yes, well done Cam.
Charles Plowdog
Guest
On the subject of the Drua, it is time to congratulate Cam Shepherd for the excellent story he did on the Drua and the family of one of their players. What a change for Kick and Chase to focus on a story that isn't about themselves or some in-joke. Well done Cam.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
It's a fair point RF. Nobody is making a living off the NRC and to an extent Fiji's entry into the competition is helping filter the talent for the player agents and club scouts. John McKee told me that he'd recommended to many players that they try to get spots in the Mitre 10 Cup as it is a great standard, with good coaching, in the right part of the world and would improve their development and their chances of getting picked for Fiji. But invariably many players - often at the urging of short-sighted agents and managers - would sign for French clubs, even in the lower divisions, if it meant even slightly more money. Thanks Simon, really looking forward to the Drua v Perth!
Rakavi Fan
Guest
There is no doubt that the Drua are a fabulous addition to the NRC. One concern I have though is the ability of the team to maintain competitiveness over the coming seasons. Having regard to the history of Fijian rugby, it will come as no surprise if a large portion of this year's squad is snapped up by European or Japanese clubs (if not Australian or NZ Super clubs) next year and this is repeated each year. The NRC will showcase their talents and the clubs which are able to pay more (and offer a longer and more competitive rugby season) will come with their cheque books. Over the years, the Fiji 7s teams have suffered this fate. Yes, departing players will be replaced but Fiji has a small population and losing players on a regular basis will have an adverse effect.
Simon Douch
Roar Guru
Success surely isn't measured in titles alone. As long as there are plenty fans willing to attend games, they can be a strong, successful club. The Drua's introduction to super rugby has been labelled a success, why? Because they play an exciting brand of rugby that keeps fans interested.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Teams like the Drua and any potential future involvement from other PI nations bring different styles and level of physicality that can be invaluable to the development of our players as they progress from club to NRC and eventually SR. Playing against these types of teams will make our players better. That's their value from an on field perspective. From a fans perspective. They are just wonderful to watch. Which is just as important as my above point. They add even more to the entertainment side of the equation to what is already a very entertaining structure and style of the game. They bring a different flair. Which can only help the competition grow.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
This is all great sentiment and I think Drua have added an exciting dimension. But I don't think it needs to be replicated by 2 more teams. The NRC was set up as an Australia national competition. From the bottom up it provides a target for local amateur players and then from the top end it provides a pathway/feeder system into the SR. The NRC has been lauded as one (of many others possibly) resolution to solve the player supply issue. I do not have exact figures but I believe that in only 3 seasons over 10 players have earned SR contracts and it has provided a great platform for fringe Wallabies to get some decent game time in. A part of NRC existence is try and rebuild some tribalism that does not exist in SR. This will be diluted by more PI teams. This is an Australia National Rugby Competition. It is entrepreneurial thinking to add Drua and they bring a style of play it is useful for Australian players to ply their trade against. But I don't see the advantage of have two more teams replicating this.