The Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific table leaders the Hurricanes are not underestimating the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua as they prepare to head to Suva for their round 9 clash this Friday.
Hurricanes assistant coach Jamie Mackintosh says his side needs to be ready for a brutal contest if they want to remain at the top of the table.
Mackintosh has warned his players to be ready for a war or it's going to be a long day.
He says the Fijian people are amazing, it's a friendly place, but they love to beat you up.
He adds the crowd noise, slippery ball and the way the Fijian boys use momentum is something incredible.
Mackintosh says the Drua get up on top of the grass and they start playing their game and they are really difficult to stop.
He says the Drua are physical, they've made massive inroads with their set piece and now they have become a formidable team so it's going to be a massive job.
According to the Hurricanes, despite sitting six spots behind them on the table after eight rounds, the Drua are a completely different beast when playing at home.
In their three games played in Fiji this year, the side is currently undefeated, with wins over the Crusaders, Waratahs and Western Force, outscoring the three sides by a combined 31 points. The Drua will host the Hurricanes at 7.05pm this Friday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva following the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women’s Super Rugby Women semi final clash against the Western Force at 4.35pm at the same venue. In other round 9 matches this week, the Reds will face the Highlanders at 9.35pm Friday, the Blues will meet the Brumbies at 7.05pm Saturday, and the Force will take on the Crusaders at 9.35pm Saturday.
