Temo Mayanavanua: 'We weren’t urgent enough' after Fijian Drua loss to Waratahs

Fijian Drua co-captain Temo Mayanavanua says his side were not “urgent enough” in key moments after their 50-35 defeat to the NSW Waratahs in Suva.

The Drua were outplayed in a difficult first half, conceding six tries before the break and heading into halftime under heavy pressure.

Reflecting on the match, Mayanavanua admitted the team took too long to find their rhythm.

“We wanted to start fast but unfortunately it took us the whole first half to actually get our rhythm and hats off to the Waratahs,” he told Stan Sport.

“They brought their A game and they got the reward. They were a better team at the end of the day.”

The Drua showed more fight in the second half but the damage from the opening 40 minutes proved too much to recover from.

Mayanavanua pointed to execution and decision-making as key issues during the first-half collapse.

“I think it's just execution in certain areas where we could have slowed the tempo, [speed] up the tempo and stuff,” he said.

“I think that one really got us. There were a couple of key moments that we weren't urgent enough and that's not good for us.”

Drua co-captain Temo Mayanavanua says his side were not “urgent enough” in key moments against the Waratahs. Photo/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga/file

Looking ahead to the final stretch of the season, the Drua co-captain said the focus now shifts quickly to learning and responding on the road.

“I think just take the learnings from this game. We still have two games in front of us,” he said. “We want to front up again and create history on the road as well.”

It was a result that keeps the Waratahs’ finals hopes alive, while pushing the Drua’s own push for a top-six finish into difficult territory with only two rounds left in the regular season.

The game was effectively decided in the opening 40 minutes. Despite strong home support at the National Stadium, the Drua struggled with discipline and set-piece errors and went into halftime trailing 36-7.

The Waratahs made the most of their chances early, building pressure and taking control of the match before the Drua could settle into their rhythm.

Fiji-born Harry Potter, Max Jorgensen and Ioane Moananu all crossed in a strong first-half showing from the visitors, who punished repeated Drua mistakes.

Fijian Drua fans at the National Stadium in Suva during their side’s 50-35 defeat to the NSW Waratahs, proudly backing their team despite a tough afternoon at home. Photo/Facebook/Fijian Drua

Mesake Doge scored for the home side but the Drua were unable to build momentum as the Waratahs finished the half in control.

The Drua came out after the break with more intent and energy and lifted in front of their home fans, trying to claw their way back into the contest.

Tries to Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, and Tuidraki Samusamuvodre helped bring the crowd back into the game with the Drua showing the fight they are known for across the Pacific.

But the damage from the first half proved too great with the Waratahs keeping control of the scoreboard throughout the second spell.

There was further disappointment for the home crowd when Waratahs substitute Apolosi Ranawai, who is Fijian, crossed in the 64th minute in Suva to push the visitors past the 50-point mark.

Waratahs captain Matt Philip told the post-match interview that he was pleased after ending a long winless run outside Australia over the Drua in Fiji.

"Congratulations to the Drua. They're such a passionate and physical team,” Philip said. “You always know the challenge you're up for when you come across here.

"It's very hard to plan to play the Drua because you don't know what they're going to do. But yeah, very pleased. We could stick to how we wanted to play this week. We haven't been able to do that for the last three or so games, so I'm pleased with that.”

Philip also praised the impact of squad changes, with several new players stepping up in Suva. “I think it's always that next man up mentality for us. The enthusiasm of the new guys coming in.

“I thought the partnership between Teddy and Bowie there was awesome to see, you know, a bit of young enthusiasm. So I'm really happy for them.”

Looking ahead, Philip said the focus remains on a week-by-week approach as the Waratahs push towards the business end of the season.

“Yeah, look, try not to keep the ladder in mind. You know, it's a week-by-week thing for us. We've got the Brumbies at home. You know, they're a super strong opposition. We know what's coming from them.

“So, you know, the ladder's always in the back of your mind but we've got to prepare for the game," Philip said.

The result leaves the Drua with some parts of their game to address before they take on the Western Force in Perth next week, especially discipline and consistency again exposed at key moments.

While their second-half response showed heart and their trademark never-say-die spirit, the lack of control in the opening half proved decisive once again.

For fans in Suva, it was a disappointing afternoon at home, with the Drua now needing to regroup quickly for their final two matches.

In other results of round 14, the Chiefs beat the Highlanders 42-12 in Hamilton on Friday night while on Saturday, the Hurricanes defeated the Blues in Auckland 47-24 to reclaim the lead on the table and the Force held on to win at home 19-14 against the Reds.

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