The Fijian Drua can confirm their place in Australian National Rugby Championship top four with victory against the Sydney Rays in Suva.
The Drua are third in the NRC standings with one round to go, after a home defeat against league leaders Queensland Country last weekend, which all but ended hopes of a home semi final.
The Fijian Drua huddle together. Photo: Australian Rugby
Coach Senirusi Seruvakula accused his players of overconfidence in that match and says, despite Sydney sitting a lowly eighth of nine teams, they won't be pushovers.
"It doesn't matter that they are not qualified for the top four. It's going to be a tough game also - they want to finish the NRC on a high note and we just have to be ready...we just need to train well and be prepared again and give everything on Saturday".
The Sydney Rays have managed just two wins from seven but produced their best performance of the season last weekend to upset Perth Spirit on their home track.
Sydney Rays coach, Julian Huxley Photo: Penrith Rugby Club
Coach Julian Huxley said they've struggled with a high injury toll and will have to be at their best to contain the Drua.
"They're playing for a spot in the final in their first season which would be a great achievement for them but, by the same token, having Fiji in the competition is to respect them the same as other teams, whether it's New Zealand teams or Australian teams, and part of that respect is to go out and give it absolutely everything we've got to beat them so we're not trying to spoil the party or anything like that but we're really committed to trying to finish the season strongly".
The Drua are three points clear of both New South Wales Country Eagles and Brisbane City who meet this weekend.
Depending on the result of that match, the Fijians could start their match anywhere from third to fifth on the table, while sixth placed Perth also have a faint chance of going above them if results go their way.
The Drua are without six players for the remainder of the season, who are part of the Flying Fijians Northern Tour squad but Senirusi Seruvakula says he has faith in his wider squad to step up and perform in their absence.
