Logistical failures have led to severe criticism of rugby authorities regarding the treatment of the Fijian Drua team during a recent trip to New Zealand. Arriving late before a Super Rugby match against the Hurricanes, the Drua touched down in New Zealand at just before midnight, which was a mere 16 hours before their match.
The situation worsened when the team could not find the bus that had been arranged by Super Rugby to take them to their hotel. In a bizarre turn of events, they ended up crammed into a truck initially meant for transporting their equipment. Upon arriving at their accommodation in Napier, the Drua team learned they could not have a late checkout like the Hurricanes, forcing them to vacate their rooms several hours earlier than their opponents. This disparity in treatment did not sit well with fans, particularly after images of the team in the back of the truck circulated online. Former dual-international Lote Tuqiri called the situation “ridiculous” and denounced New Zealand for its “lack of hospitality”. He highlighted that the Drua are a professional team deserving of appropriate treatment and not akin to junior levels where players fund their own trips.
Despite their challenges, the Drua suffered a narrow loss of 38-34 in the match after leading at one point. Coach Glen Jackson expressed disappointment about the logistical failures, noting that these issues significantly impacted their preparation.
In light of the criticisms, Super Rugby officials responded by acknowledging the mistakes and outlining the steps taken to improve logistics moving forward. Jack Mesley, the CEO of Super Rugby Pacific, revealed that communication breakdowns and other oversights were identified during the Drua’s trip. He assured that measures have been taken to refine travel processes for future games.
The Drua are set to face the Chiefs in Lautoka this weekend, currently positioned near the bottom of the ladder after three consecutive losses. The officials stressed the Drua’s importance in the competition, recognising the energy and excitement they bring to Super Rugby Pacific.