WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Former international rugby stars Lote Tuqiri and Nemani Nadolo have expressed their dismay over the organizational shortcomings in Super Rugby that resulted in the Fijian Drua team facing a logistical nightmare before their second-round clash against the Hurricanes. The team endured a grueling journey of more than 300 kilometers (around 185 miles) in a luggage truck after their pre-arranged transportation didn’t arrive as scheduled.
The Drua reached Wellington, New Zealand, late at night on the eve of their match, only to find that their bus to Napier, located several hours away, was missing. Faced with a three-hour wait for an alternative ride, the team opted to travel in the truck initially booked for their luggage and equipment to get to their hotel.
On the match day, which featured a 4 p.m. kickoff, the Fijian Drua were compelled to vacate their hotel rooms early, a courtesy not extended to the Hurricanes, who were allowed a late checkout.
Details of this travel debacle only came to light recently when the Drua’s complaint to Super Rugby’s chief executive Jack Mesley surfaced. Super Rugby is currently examining the grievances raised by the team.
Lote Tuqiri, of Fijian heritage, and a notable figure in both Australia’s rugby union and league teams, labeled the Drua’s treatment as “unacceptable,” citing it as a demonstration of “a lack of hospitality.” “It’s ridiculous,” Tuqiri remarked. “With the competition being as old as it is, you’d expect the organizers to have things sorted out. It’s not exactly new.”
Nemani Nadolo, who boasts 30 tests for Fiji and experience playing Super Rugby with the Crusaders and Hurricanes, shared a picture online depicting the Drua players cramped alongside their luggage in the truck’s rear. “How is this even happening?” he questioned. “It’s frustrating to see a team endure a long flight only to find no bus at the airport. Instead of waiting, they had to hop in a truck to get to their hotel.”
Nadolo also contrasted the situation with the royal treatment visiting Super Rugby teams receive in Fiji, complete with police escorts and top-notch hospitality. “Can you imagine an Australian or New Zealand team going through something like this?” he inquired.
Despite these challenges, the Drua narrowly lost to the Hurricanes, with a last-minute try concluding the game at 38-34 in favor of the home team.
