Drua team maps out game plan

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Fijian Drua players during their training session. Picture: twitter.com/fijian_drua

Fijian Drua Super Rugby team head coach Mick Byrne is mapping out a game plan that is based around fast, powerful and adventurous players.

In a statement by Fiji Rugby Union, the Swire Shipping-sponsored side’s coach said the side needed a fly half with experience at the top level who would be able to keep the Fijian pack moving forward with tactical kicking and to unleash the backline at every opportunity.

The side has roped in Baden Kerr, who the head coach said, had the right set of skills to meet this requirement.

“It is exciting for us to have him in our Drua squad to reinforce that crucial playmaker position,” Byrne said.

“He (Kerr) brings valuable top-level experience into our squad having played in Super Rugby, the English Premiership, NZ’s National Provincial Championship and Japan.

“Player welfare is paramount for our club. We will not rush our injured players back, while keeping up the momentum heading into our first season.

Baden’s experience will also be excellent mentorship for other fly half options in Napolioni Bolaca, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Kitione Taliga.”

Byrne said successful Super Rugby teams played the game in the right part of the field, and 32-year-old Kerr ticked all the boxes with a set of skills, adventurous play, tactical kicking and accurate goal kicking.

“He is used to being part of a squad with players from the Fiji and Pacific Islands, so we’re confident he’ll adjust to the Drua environment.”

Kerr represented Counties Manukau from 2010 to 2014 and joined the Blues for the 2012 Super Rugby season.

He played for the England-based Bedford Blues in 2015 and Saracens in July 2016 before returning to New Zealand to Counties Manukau team for the 2017 season.

Kerr was also a member of the Honda Heat squad in Japan’s Top League competition from 2018 to 2020.

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