NEW players in the Fiji Airways Drua side have adapted well to the National Rugby Championship (NRC) games, says coach Senirusi Seruvakula.
He said the new caps had combined well with their teammates to contribute to the team’s successful outing in the past two games.
With the absence of some of the top players from last season such as John Stewart and Eroni Sau, the new caps in Levani Kurumudu, Poasa Waqanibau and Jona Sawailau had provided the much needed cover in the back line.
Kurumudu played for Suva in the Skipper Cup competition while Waqanibau and Sawailau played for Tailevu and Lautoka respectively in the Vanua Challenge. Seruvakula said these players had adapted well and were expected to play a huge role this season.
He said the players might be new to the competition, but were not new to rugby having played in the provincial competition this season.
“Lepani, Sawailau and Poasa have been consistent in the local competition and they have been impressive,” said Seruvakula.
“They may be new to this competition, but they are not new to the players in the team having played each other in the HFC Bank Farebrother Trophy Challenge and Skipper Cup games.
“They have also filled in the vacuum created by some prominent players and they keep improving and learning each week.”
Meanwhile, there have been some injury worry to Waqanibau and flyer Apete Daveta. Seruvakula said they were still waiting for the medical reports on the injured players before making the selection for the Australian tour.
The side will face Queensland Country in their third NRC game this weekend.
