The Fijian Drua are taking plenty of encouragement after almost pulling off an upset win against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Saturday.
The Fijian Drua performing the Na Bole before a Super Rugby Pacific clash. Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz
The Super Rugby newcomers trailed by 19 points late in the second half before scoring three tries in five minutes to draw level with eight minutes to play.
Reds flanker Seru Uru scored two minutes from time to seal a dramatic 33-28 victory for the reigning Australian champions but Drua coach Mick Byrne was full of praise for his team's performance.
"I'm really proud of the way the boys fought it out. I think it might have been 28-9 - anything could have happened there - and then we just fought our way back into the game," he said.
"We've just got to be proud with the way we finished that off and went after a good Reds side. They're the current champions and you can see why they are but, for me, I'm extremely proud of the way every single player went tonight."
After two first up defeats, the Drua secured their first Super Rugby victory against the Melbourne Rebels in round three. Mick Byrne said the squad know they can compete at this level.
"I think when we started we talked about the belief of being here and inside our own rooms we believe we should be here, but we've just got to put out performances on the field and other people will start judging whether they believe that or not.
"But we certainly believe internally that we've got the talent to get in the arm-wrestle of these teams."
Drua first five Teti Tela added 13 points with the boot at Suncorp Stadium but hit the post with his final conversion attempt, which would have put the Fijian side in front with seven minutes remaining.
The Flying Fijians international said the game felt like a missed opportunity.
"We're quite disappointed because we knew we had a chance, even at the end there, to give ourselves a chance to win that game." he said.
"You definitely can feel it in the team. We're on the tryline but there's still that belief there that Mick's talking about and we put the belief in our players, and our finishers came on and done a good job for us as well."
"1-23 we know we've got to come game-day each and every week and look to perform for the full eighty. Mick and the coaches and the strength and conditioning team have been putting us through a big pre-season this year so I think we've got belief that our conditioning can get us there. I think we've still got a little bit to go even to get even better."
The Drua are back in action on Saturday against the Western Force.