Understanding the Drua’s culture, building relationships and learning what motivates players will be the first priority for new Swire Shipping Fijian Drua head coach Brad Mooar.
Speaking to fijivillage News, Mooar says he wants to fit into the team’s existing culture before contributing, stressing that what has worked at other teams cannot simply be transferred to the Drua.
Insert: Need to fit in first - Mooar Oct 23
Mooar says faith and family are central to the Drua environment, alongside rugby, and these factors must be understood when working with the players.
He says coaching is only part of his role, as developing players as people must come first.
Mooar says the priority is to grow players as individuals before developing them as athletes.
The Drua will kick off their home campaign in Round 1 on February 13th against the Highlanders at Four R Stadium in Ba, with kick-off set for 3.30pm.
Their second home game will be played on February 27th against the Reds at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, also at 3.30pm.
In Round 6, the Drua will travel to Churchill Park in Lautoka to face the Blues on March 20th, with kick-off scheduled for 3.30pm.
In Round 9, the Drua will host the Western Force at Four R Stadium in Ba on April 10th, with kick-off set for 4.30pm.
They will then welcome the Hurricanes to HFC Bank Stadium in Suva on April 30th.
In Round 14, the Drua will take on the Brumbies at Churchill Park in Lautoka on May 15th, with kick-off scheduled for 3.30pm. The following week, they will return to Suva to face the Crusaders at HFC Bank Stadium on May 21st.
The Drua’s final home game of the season will take place in Round 16 on May 29th, when they host the Waratahs at Four R Stadium in Ba. Kick-off is set for 4.30pm.
The Drua’s away games begin in Round 2 on February 20th when they face the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium in Sydney at 7.30pm.
Their second away game will be against the Brumbies on March 6 at GIO Stadium in Canberra, with kick-off at 7.30pm.
In Round 5, on March 13, they will take on the Hurricanes in Wellington at 4.30pm
According to the Drua, they will face the Reds in Round 7 on March 28 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, with kick-off at 3.10pm and they will then play the Highlanders in Christchurch on Sunday, April 4th, at 2pm.
In Round 10, the Drua will meet the Chiefs on April 16 at FMG Stadium Waikato, with kick-off at 7.30pm and they will face the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland on May 7.
The Drua will round off their away fixtures against the Waratahs in Round 17 on June 4 in Perth, with kick-off at 8pm.
