IF you think riding in the back of a truck is a big deal, then you’re wrong.
But if you are Fijian Drua, it is a big deal.
Why? Because we are just not travelling in the country but going places, and we are Fiji’s Super Rugby team and we represent.
Drua found itself stranded at the Hawke’s Bay Airport in Napier, New Zealand as their hotel transfer stood them down.
The players rode a good 3-hours at the airport before hitching a ride in the back of a transport truck.
The professional outfit that Drua is, it all comes down to severed communication.
And in the tech-savvy world, the blame squarely falls on Drua and the Super Premier.
The picture circulating on social media platforms shows smile-wearing players cramped up like luggage, destined for the next delivery.
And just when the players thought the nightmare was over, they were dealt another blow, they were refused later checkout.
This forced players to either wander around or sleep in the hotel lobby for hours before kickoff.
And strange enough their opponents, the Hurricanes, were allowed to remain in their rooms until game time.
Embarrassing to say the least, it’s a bad reflection on Drua, who should do far better planning on travel, transfers to accommodation.
This was not ‘their first rodeo’ since joining the Super Rugby in 2022.
The team has travelled several times and is familiar with the arrangements.
So what went wrong?
Drua has top-down professionals in the organization, who should provide both comfort and convenience.
And it all comes down to 4-point logistics on the ground.
It includes transportation, accommodation, equipment and most importantly communication.
These, and streamlining travel schedules would simplify group logistics.
Former Fiji international Nemani Nadolo called out Super Rugby organizers for the gaffe.
“Bear in mind every Super Rugby side that comes to Fiji will get police escort everywhere they go,” Nadolo, a world-class winger who played 30 times for his country, wrote in a post on X beneath a picture of the Drua players in the baggage truck.
“Yet this is a picture of a Super Rugby side that’s sitting at the back of a truck going to their hotel in NZ.
“How is this even happening? Can you imagine if this was an Aussie or a NZ franchise side? Driving in the back of a truck at midnight after showing up to the airport to find out your team bus wasn’t there. Please tell me this a joke?”
Fijians from all works of life took to social media to vent their displeasure at both Drua and Super Rugby for misrepresentation.
“Overseas teams get Police escort with lights and sirens and treated royalty but Fijian Drua, vodo lorry ( ride truck), sad times,” said Marika Camaiwai, a season ticket holder.
“Plan, attention to detail and follow the checklist, you can be sure that every member of your team has a safe, enjoyable, and enriching experience abroad.”
Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley has admitted that oversights and breakdowns in communications resulted in the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua having to pile into the back of a luggage truck to get to their hotel on arrival in Auckland.
He said essentially what happened was several oversights and breakdowns in communications were identified, which created those challenges for the Drua, adding the issue has been addressed.
Whatever the consensus, it is Swire Shipping Drua who is the custodian of the players and who must be proactive moving forward.
And while we Fijians find joy in little things, unfazed riding in the back of a truck and smile away, we should not be taken for second class.
