The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will take on 11- time Super Rugby Pacific champions, the Crusaders in the quarterfinals this week in the cold of Christchurch.
The Crusaders will be out for blood after losing to the Drua 25-24 at Churchill Park in Lautoka in round three.
The Crusaders who finished second on the points tables after round 15 will host the 7th position Drua in the third quarterfinal on Saturday June 10 at Orangetheory Stadium in cold Christchurch at 7.05pm.
The Blues take on the Waratahs in the first quarterfinal on Friday June 9 at Eden Park at 7.35pm.
The Chiefs will look for redemption in the second quarterfinal against the Queensland Reds on Saturday June 10 at FMG Stadium Waikato at 4.35pm.
With the Brumbies hosting the Hurricanes in the last quarterfinal at GIO Stadium on Saturday June 10 at 9.35pm.
Meanwhile, the Fijian Drua team dedicated their hard-fought 41-17 victory against the Queensland Reds to their coach Mick Byrne, who lost his father on Friday.
Skipper Meli Derenalagi said it was an important win for the Drua family to put a smile on their coach’s face in Round 15 of the Super Rugby Pacific on Saturday.
“Not forgetting our coach, Coach Mick; he’s going through a hard obstacle in his life, the passing away of his father.”
“The game we played today, we dedicate to him, to touch his heart and give him some happiness.”
Byrne added that he is thankful to the Drua family that allowed him to spend some precious time with his late father.
“When you have a program that’s built around faith and family, you certainly realise what it means to people when something happens to you.”
“My family’s been awesome; Dad was a great mentor and I’m really pleased we were able to put on a performance after the week we had.”
“It’s a pretty special moment. We’ve come from a long way back. It’s a great night for us.”
SOURCE: FIJI LIVE/PACNEWS
