Cold awaits flying Drua | Byrne calls on Fijians in New Zealand to flood stadium

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua coach Mick Byrne says the low temperatures in Christchurch on Saturday will not affect his side in the quarter-finals of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific against the Crusaders.

Temperatures from six to 11 degrees Celsius are expected when the two teams meet on Saturday evening. Byrne said his team was ready for it.

“Weather will be a bit cooler than we have here (Fiji) but we will be ready for that. Weather won’t be an issue for us,” the Drua coach said.

He said the players had responded well to training this week.

“The boys are really doing well, as long as we get our front foot early with our attacks and collisions.”

He called on the Fijian Drua supporters in Christchurch to come out in numbers and support the team.

“Hoping for a big support from our Fijian fans, with our banner blue and loud cheers.”

The last time the two teams met in Christchurch, the Crusaders thumped the Drua 61-3 last year.

This year, the Fijian Drua turned the tables when they upset the champions 25-24 at Churchill Park in Lautoka in round three.

The Drua fly out to Christchurch on Friday morning. The match kicks off at 7.05pm.