The Fijian Drua are full of confidence after surging to the top of the Australian National Rugby Championship.
The Drua thrashed the Melbourne Rising 40-17 in Nausori on Saturday to make a winning start to their sophomore season.
The Fijian Drua made a winning start against Melbourne Rising. Photo: Fiji Rugby
Coach Senirusi Seruvakula said the result was a huge boost for their local players.
"It shows a lot of confidence for the players coming into this competition because the competition here in Fiji is not so strong and these boys could lift to another level," he said.
"And playing against a lot of Super Rugby players on Saturday that's a credit to us and they know now that they will be playing a tough competition from now on and there will be another tough game on Saturday."
Drua coach, Senirusi Seruvakula Photo: Fiji Rugby
The Drua ran in six tries to three in a free-flowing affair but Senirusi Seruvakula said the home team still needed to work on their discipline and core roles.
"What impressed me on Saturday was our defence - we really defended well - but our areas to work on is giving away penalties and our set pieces like lineout and scrum," he said.
"We still need to work on that because we will be playing against more stronger forwards and taller players from Australia."
The Drua are at home to Brisbane City in Lautoka this weekend, who opened their season with a 47-29 defeat by the Western Force.
