Super Rugby investigating Fijian Drua’s road trip from hell … including lift in a luggage truck

“We knew right from the beginning it was going to be a pretty interesting trip,” Jackson said.

“I don’t think we got all the favours landing in Wellington. We didn’t have a bus ready, unfortunately, and then even when we got to the hotel in Napier, we didn’t have a room ready. So there were plenty of things that went against us.”

Fijian Drua management subsequently wrote to Super Rugby chief executive Jack Mesley to highlight the issues encountered, and SRP launched an investigation.

“Super Rugby Pacific management reviewed a number of logistical issues that arose during the Fijian Drua’s trip to Napier to face the Hurricanes in Round 2,” Mesley said via a statement.

“Several oversights and breakdowns in communication were identified which unfortunately created additional challenges for the Drua. Those issues have now been addressed with the clubs and an external transport provider.

“While it is disappointing to have these issues arise in our competition, it has given us the opportunity to assess and refine our team travel processes moving forward.”

Informed sources with knowledge of the matter said while many Drua players shrugged off the inconveniences, others at the Fijian franchise were fed up and questioned whether an Australian or New Zealand Super Rugby side would encounter the same problems.

Fijian Drua officials declined to comment on their trip but said in a statement the club was satisfied with the SRP review.

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“The Drua have gone through the right channels in a respectful way and are now satisfied that issues have been acknowledged and learnt from,” Drua general manager Baden Stephenson said.

This masthead has also learned Super Rugby Pacific bosses also spoke to New Zealand broadcaster Sky Sports after Fijian Drua players in the same game were misidentified, or had their names mispronounced.

Meanwhile, the Waratahs have named Reds recruit Lawson Creighton to make his NSW debut after being named at no.10 to meet the Western Force in Sydney.

Tane Edmed has been shifted to the bench.

Lock Ben Grant has also won promotion to the starting side for Miles Amatosero, with Felix Kalapu and backrower Leafi Talataina also named to their Waratahs debuts on the bench. Jack Grant and Tom Lambert have also also been added to the reserves.

Wallabies lock Jeremy Williams has been named to return from injury for the Force.