Super Rugby Pacific has taken steps to combat the Fijian humidity, adding more heat-related interventions in future home games for the Drua.
It comes after a health and safety review following the Drua's victory over the Crusaders last month that left some players close to needing hospital treatment for heat stroke.
This week, the Fijian side host the high-flying Hurricanes in Suva — a side that's been anticipating the suffocating conditions in advance, incorporating a heat and altitude chamber into their training regime.
"We've done heat prep for three weeks," says Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw.
"All of our meetings this week, as an example, have been held in the heat chamber, we've made it a bit chaotic.
"The trainings and the meetings, we're trying to create a lens to cope with the conditions and atmosphere."
The facility at the New Zealand Campus for Innovation and Sport in Upper Hutt can recreate conditions of 100% humidity, 35 degrees Celsius and 3500 metres above sea level.
"Maybe it's a gimmick, we'll find out," says Laidlaw.
But considering the Drua's impressive unbeaten run at home this season — including wins over the Crusaders, Waratahs and Western Force — it could prove pivotal for the Canes.
"The Drua is one of those games are the ones you think you're prepared for and do your best to prepare for it, but once you're over there and in the thick of it, it's really tough," says Hurricanes assistant coach Tyler Bleyendaal.
"The noise they generate, their passion for rugby — not only sevens but 15s — is huge. They are really keen to play and beat the top teams and you can see that in the energy they play with," says Laidlaw.
He said the Drua were a different prospect "when you get over there".
Victory on Friday night would mark the unbeaten Hurricanes' eighth straight win since the start of Super Rugby Pacific in 2024 — eclipsing their best ever start of seven wins from the 2015 season.
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