Nadroga Rugby Prepares Young Squad for Sun Bell Drua 10s Amid Holiday Challenges
Nadroga Rugby will enter the Sun Bell Drua 10s in Nadi tomorrow with a largely youthful squad, following difficulties in assembling players during the festive season.
Challenges in Team Preparation
Nadroga Rugby Union President Juita Waqavonovono shared the struggles of organizing the team during the holidays:
- Many players were unavailable, enjoying the Christmas break or away from home.
- “It was hard to put together the team because everyone was in holiday mode. We don’t blame them because it’s the Christmas season,” said Waqavonovono.
Training only resumed last week, giving the team limited preparation time.
A Blend of Youth and Experience
Despite the hurdles, the squad will feature a mix of young talent and a few senior players:
- Waqavonovono highlighted the challenge of managing the physicality of the younger players, many of whom were returning after months away.
- “It’s challenging to manage the physicality of these young men, but everyone is building up and testing themselves,” she noted.
Looking Ahead to the Drua 10s
The competition will provide a valuable learning opportunity for the young Stallions as they face structured teams like Drua.
- Waqavonovono remains optimistic, emphasizing the significance of the experience in developing the players.
- “It’s a chance to test themselves and prepare for tougher challenges,” she stated.
While the preparation has been less than ideal, Nadroga’s focus on blending young talent with experience reflects their commitment to long-term growth and resilience. Fans can look forward to seeing how this dynamic team performs under the challenge.