Lote Tuqiri has criticized Super Rugby Pacific’s ‘unacceptable’ treatment of the travelling Fijian Drua and hopes such a ‘ridiculous’ situation never occurs again after the team was seen travelling in the back of a luggage truck.
The Fiji-born icon and dual Australian representative also criticized New Zealand’s ‘lack of hospitality’ upon discovering that the Drua were evicted from their hotel room in Napier, leaving them with no place to rest several hours before facing the well-accommodated Hurricanes two weeks ago.
However, Tuqiri’s main frustration is how officials, in today’s world, could have failed to arrange superior transportation compared to what the professional rugby players had to endure on a terrible night on February 21.
Arriving in New Zealand just before midnight, 16 hours prior to their match against the Hurricanes in a place hours away by car, the Drua team was unable to find the bus arranged by Super Rugby officials to take them to their hotel.
Upon realizing the bus company’s obvious error, the Fijian team crowded into the rear of a truck arranged to carry the squad’s gear and luggage.
“That’s absurd,” Tuqiri stated.
Fijian-Australian rugby icon Lote Tuqiri has criticized this picture showing the Fijian Drua team being carried in the back of a truck.
Tuqiri, of Fijian descent, represented the NSW Waratahs and the Australian Wallabies throughout his rugby career.
The Drua lost to the Highlanders in a nail-biter, with numerous fans attributing their late collapse to a lackluster preparation.
One would assume the organizers would have it figured out, considering the age of the competition. It’s not as if a new competition
It likely wasn’t intended, but, I believe, it’s truly unacceptable.
Upon finally reaching a hotel they had to share with the Hurricanes, the Drua players and staff were informed they could not have a late check-out like their hosts had, before the 4pm kick-off on Saturday.
“You shouldn’t anticipate a team to be handled like that,” Tuqiri stated.
‘They are not a team of under-11s or under-12s who have raised money for a junior road trip.’
“They are a professional organization and ought to be treated as such.”
Adding to the Drua’s disappointment, they were defeated at the buzzer 38-34, after allowing a late lead to slip away in their first round at home against the ACT Brumbies.
‘I don’t believe we received all the favors arriving in Wellington.’ Unfortunately, we lacked a bus ready, and when we finally arrived at the hotel in Napier, we still didn’t have a room available,” lamented Drua coach Glen Jackson. ‘Thus, there were many factors that worked against us.’
Following a six-day turnaround, the fatigued Drua also squandered a late advantage against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney last Friday evening.
Rugby fans were similarly stunned to view the image, questioning how it was permitted to occur.
This is unfortunate. When these teams arrive on our shores, we ready ourselves and greet them as though they were part of our family. “Why choose Kiwis?” inquired a fan.
I’m stunned and utterly heartbroken by this. “Isn’t AusPacificSports providing funding for these initiatives and backing Fijian Rugby?” asked another.
What’s astonishing is this group of guys will handle challenges like this effortlessly and turn it into an opportunity. That certainly does not imply it should occur to them, and individuals should refrain from exploiting their kindness, posted yet another.
Tuqiri, a Wallabies World Cup finalist in 2003 and a two-time NRL premiership winner with both Brisbane and South Sydney, mentioned that losing three consecutive close matches against Super Rugby powerhouses was difficult.
However, the proud Fijian Australian finds the treatment in New Zealand even harder to accept.
“Honestly, I’m somewhat taken aback by the New Zealanders’ absence of hospitality,” Tuqiri remarked.
Tuquiri seeks improved treatment for Fiji teams on the road, particularly as the island country warmly welcomes visiting squads.
‘In the sense that they [Fiji and NZ] are nearby neighbors.’
Clearly, the hotel was fully booked and there were uncontrollable events, but I believe those kinds of situations can be resolved.
‘You can’t let guys stroll around on game day, chill in parks, lounge in the lobby, and so on.’
It’s an uneven playing field. Arriving at midnight with no bus in sight … it’s simply absurd. It definitely cannot occur again.
I’m certain it has likely occurred in the past, but measures have likely been established since then.
“I’m not familiar with all the details, but this shouldn’t occur from a professional perspective.”
‘The contest has been ongoing for approximately 30 years.’