Queensland’s clash with Fijian Drua on Saturday in Lautoka is the “most important game” of the Super Rugby Pacific season for Reds winger Filipo Daugunu.
Born in Fiji, Daugunu said he always loved the chance to go home to play in in front of his family and friends.
“For us Fijians, this is an important game … especially for me, it’s the most important game because you’re playing in front of the people where you’re from,” Daugunu said.
“It’s hard to beat them because they have big support and they love playing in front of the people, the crowd, back home.
“I love the way they play. It’s going to be a good battle on Saturday.”
The in-form Reds are chasing a fourth successive win, but victory against the Drua has proven elusive for the Queenslanders in their three trips to Fiji since the inception of the Super Rugby Pacific competition.
“We know how they play but we’re going to stick to our game plan, and stick to how we play,” Daugunu said.
“I know that if we stick to our game plan, we can beat them.”
The performance of Daugunu could be crucial to Queensland’s hopes of winning this weekend, with the 31-year-old Wallabies outside back having been among the Reds’ best performers in recent weeks.
“I just want to do my job to help the team,” he said.
And that means playing anywhere he’s asked, even as a makeshift flanker, where he has been used on occasion this season.
“Any position the coaches want me to play, I’ll be ready. I’m happy to play in the back-row if they want me to,” he said.
Daugunu said he had been learning the art of playing as a flanker from Queensland skipper and Wallabies star Fraser McReight.
“I’m trying to be an extra No.7. I learn a lot from watching Fraser. I love watching what he’s doing,” he said.
McReight is among three Wallabies who haven’t travelled to Fiji, with him, flyhalf Carter Gordon and prop Zane Nonggorr rested as part of World Rugby player management protocols being adhered to by Rugby Australia.
The Glen Jackson-coached Drua are aiming for a third successive home victory after wins over the ACT Brumbies (42-27) and the Hurricanes (25-20).
“We’ve got some good young guys that want to bring impact,” Jackson told the Fiji Times.
“I’m liking the fact that these guys now, if you were to pick another team, they’d put their hand up.”
