'As significant a victory as there has ever been'

1 year ago 72

Former Wallaby Morgan Turinui says the Fijian Drua's triumph implicit the Crusaders has cemented the 'Pacific' presumption successful Super Rugby Pacific.

The Christchurch-based outfit took a risky attack into circular three, resting respective cardinal players for the clash successful Lautoka.

Ultimately, it outgo them arsenic the location broadside took a celebrated triumph astatine a capableness Churchill Park – their archetypal triumph implicit a New Zealand franchise.

Watch the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific play connected the location of rugby, Stan Sport. All matches streaming advertisement free, unrecorded and connected demand

This twelvemonth marks conscionable the 2nd play for the Drua successful Super Rugby Pacific, who beryllium 5th successful the standings aft circular three.

Turinui said it was an out-of-character show from the defending champion Crusaders, who person conscionable 1 triumph this twelvemonth implicit the Highlanders.

"We're utilized to them coping with everything," Turinui said connected Stan Sport's Between Two Posts.

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"We're utilized to the Crusaders – nary substance what they do, whether it was going to altitude successful South Africa backmost successful the time – implicit the years successful past of Super Rugby, they person coped with each these sorts of things.

"They could not header with the question upon question of vigor that the Drua brought. It was arsenic important a triumph successful Super Rugby arsenic determination has ever been. If thing wants to underline that Super Rugby is present and everlastingly much volition beryllium Super Rugby Pacific, that's the game."

It's not the archetypal clip the Crusaders person been deed hard erstwhile resting players.

When they faced the Waratahs successful circular 11 past year, they opted not to tract a full-strength broadside and mislaid astatine Leichhardt Oval.

For the Drua, it's been a coagulated commencement to the twelvemonth - beating Moana Pasifika astatine Mt Smart Stadium earlier losing to the Waratahs successful circular two.

Next up are the Queensland Reds successful circular four.

NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles revel successful the Drua's celebrated triumph and Aussie export Mack Hansen mounting the Six Nations alight again

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