Just confirming that the advance party of kiwis going to the game arrived in Nadi yesterday. The welcoming grog session was relatively short and finished sometime between midnight and 1.00am (lots of the locals present had work today) but can report that I have not lost any of my touch. I have another one tonight to present my sevusevu but again with work tomorrow it might last only a couple of hours. The Fijians tend to mix a strong brew compared to most of the other Islands but somehow I seem to be able to cope reasonably well without the after effects being all that obvious!!!!

As an aside I ran into a one time nanny of Lucas Cashmore at a barbershop in downtown Nadi this afternoon (her son was getting his hair cut). She is getting excited about the 'Canes arrival on Thursday when she will again meet up with her former charge at Nadi Airport. I left her my phone number just in case she scores any free tickets from the players on the off chance she might have one left over!!!!!

Not as hot as normal today and thankfully the humidity was slightly more bearable for palagi intruders. Haven't looked ahead as far as Saturday but I expect no matter what the weather throws at us it will be a challenge for the visitors to get through.

Even worse, Higgins has travelled ahead of the squad and still isn't playing.

@Bones said in Drua vs Hurricanes:

Even worse, Higgins has travelled ahead of the squad and still isn't playing.

I brought my mouthguard, boots and jockstrap with me just in case of any late injuries.

The sevuevu presentation went pretty acceptably given my lack of reasonably recent practice. Have managed to get myself invited to the Natubua High School Inter House Athletics up in Lautoka tomorrow but a bit worried about the 1000hrs start which means getting myself picked up about 0900hrs to make it in time for the 100m races in which one of my sort of grandkids is taking part in. Might have a bit of trouble recognising him as he will have grown a bit in the last 14 years since I last saw him but at least he will have ditched the shitty nappies in the intervening years (or at least I hope so!).

@Higgins have a great time mate

@canefan said in Drua vs Hurricanes:

@Higgins have a great time matey

Thanks, it is certainly bringing back memories from over the almost 25 years I have been coming to Fiji. Admittedly it is been 14 years since my last visit (personal things have not always worked out to give me the freedom to come up) but there has been plenty of talk about things that we got up to during those visits and a lot of emotion felt on both sides when talk centered around the passing of at least four people from my "family" during those intervening years. I will be visiting their resting places, probably on Friday, to spend time sitting and talking with them. I think it will be extremely therapeutic for me just spending private time with them, especially as I am now reaching the age where life becomes more of when full time is going to be called rather than something that might happen in thirty or forty years time.

Despite the length of time the "family" connection is probably stronger now than it was when I came more regularly with everyone just so happy to see me and to know that I have not forgotten about them. Have still yet to meet up with my namesake but that will definitely happen on Saturday when Grandpa takes his boy to watch rugby together for the first time ever up at Churchill Park (he does not even know I am in the country so it will be a massive surprise). More particularly poignant will be both of us sitting together listening to my very special Daniel Rae Costello song that I have used to comfort me since his birth knowing that having a standard grandpa grandson relationship in the normal sense is neigh on impossible.

The last time I was here I went to his fifth birthday party and this Saturday will be his 20th birthday so he is not my special little boy anymore but a full grown man. Where have all the intervening years gone, missing out on so much development he has gone through without me?

As you can guess I am very emotional at the moment writing this with lots of tears freely flowing and backed up by some power from above sending down quite an unexpected heavy rain shower indicating that something else is also sending me a message that I am not the only one feeling the same.

Strangely enough writing this has given me great personal comfort. despite inflicting it upon any or our members that might take the time to read it.

Vinaka from a mercifully cooler (or should that really read "not so stinking hot") Nadi.

That looks a fairly weak side for Drua. Several of their best players either not involved or on the bench. Canes will have to wait another week before their first hit out against a strong team.

Reconnaissance mission to Churchill Park completed yesterday and have already staked out the best viewing spots. In reality the word cheapest is more appropriate as I have discovered that at least half a dozen or so kids apparently had been promised by someone else that I would be taking them!!! I have grave fears that that number might raise to upward of thirteen as that's about the number of seats in the minivans that ply their trade between Nadi and Lautoka.

Having so many kids in tow sort of solves the quandary I noticed of not spotting any places you could drop into for a quiet beer or three close to the ground. There must be one or two tucked away somewhere but not really an option available now for a supposedly responsible adult entrusted with kids to look after.

Man these conditions are sub-standard.

Aumua back to his best with his throwing. Ffs. Get it straight. Can’t hookers throw in this competition?

2 butchered throws by Aumua - admittedly tough conditions

There’s some real class about Harkin.

love having Fineanganofo in my fantasy team

Very nice play Canes for a try

@Grooter said in Drua vs Hurricanes:

love having Fineanganofo in my fantasy team

I swapped him out last minute because of the rain. Argggh

@Canes4life said in Drua vs Hurricanes:

There’s some real class about Harkin.

He wouldnt be playing if Cameron was fit ffs

@KiwiMurph said in Drua vs Hurricanes:

@Canes4life said in Drua vs Hurricanes:

There’s some real class about Harkin.

He wouldnt be playing if Cameron was fit ffs

Not at 10 but he would’ve been starting at 15

@Canes4life said in Drua vs Hurricanes:

@KiwiMurph said in Drua vs Hurricanes:

@Canes4life said in Drua vs Hurricanes:

There’s some real class about Harkin.

He wouldnt be playing if Cameron was fit ffs

Not at 10 but he would’ve been starting at 15

At 10 I meant. He suits 10 better.

@KiwiMurph said in Drua vs Hurricanes:

@Canes4life said in Drua vs Hurricanes:

@KiwiMurph said in Drua vs Hurricanes:

@Canes4life said in Drua vs Hurricanes:

There’s some real class about Harkin.

He wouldnt be playing if Cameron was fit ffs

Not at 10 but he would’ve been starting at 15

At 10 I meant. He suits 10 better.

Yeah funnily I actually think he could be our best 10.

Just needed a chance.

Canes just need to go up the guts in this game.

Lakai has started this season very well.

Fehi, Harkin and Lakai the pick of the Canes so far.

Nice hit back after the Drua try. Proctor in under the sticks.

17-13 to the Canes at halftime.

The Canes just need to keep going up the guts and they’ll wear down the Drua. If the Drua can make this game a lolly scramble then they could easily finish over the top of us.

The Canes better not bring Shields on, he’ll drop the ball.

Wow that field is a shocker

Pop passes are suicide in these conditions. Our ball security is poor. Fortunately the Drua aren't much better

What a massive kick! Did it easy

Fuck me

Moorby is so overrated. A decent Super season 5 or so years ago. Absolute journeyman that Canes need to move on from

Just didn't need to pass it

@taniwharugby said in Drua vs Hurricanes:

Just didn't need to pass it

Just like he didnt need to kick it out on the full when Jordie clearly passed it back to him from outside 22 earlier

And another Moorby error

Moorby having a poor game

The conditions are harming the spectacle.

Whichever team.opts for smarter plays will win.

@canefan said in Drua vs Hurricanes:

The conditions are harming the spectacle.

Ive actually quite enjoyed it.

@taniwharugby said in Drua vs Hurricanes:

Whichever team.opts for smarter plays will win.

Have to play percentage rugby and minimise mistakes

@KiwiMurph yeah is enjoyable enough, just be nice to see someone stand up and own it using thier brains

Abysmal decision by Punivai