THE rain poured heavily as the Fijian Drua took on the Wellington Hurricanes at home on Lautoka’s Churchill Park.
Drua coach Glen Jackson hinted that his boys love to play in the wet conditions.
As expected there was a lot of territorial kicking as the teams made use of the wet and muddy conditions.
A successful penalty goal in the 5th minute from Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula put the host in front 3 – nil.
However, the Drua were slow to get back on-side when a penalty was called against them. This has been a problem for the Drua since Round One.
Hurricanes halfback Cam Roigard recognised the flaw and took quick taps every time the penalties were awarded. The Hurricanes were confident with ball in hand and quickly spread the ball to left wing Fehi Fineanganofo to score out wide.
The Drua came close to scoring in the 15th minute but Tuidraki Samusamuvodre dropped the ball in the try zone.
The Hurricanes utilised their big forward pack. The ‘pick and drive’ was the way forward for the Hurricanes and the Drua struggled to stop them.
They scored again through young flanker Pita Lakai but from a Jodie Barrett missed the conversion.
Former Sevens star Joji Nasova was included into the Fijian Drua line-up. Nasova chased hard after the high balls every time, hoping to regain possession.
Flanker Motikai Murray was solid with his crash balls. He scored a hard earned try beneath the uprights. The conversion was successful by Armstrong-Ravula. The scores were 10 all.
A very costly mistake by Inia Tabuavou deep in their own 22 meter zone gave the Hurricanes the chance to take the lead. Tabuavou came in to replace inside center Isikeli Rabitu, who was subbed off the field due to injury.
The Canes opted for a lineout, before they gave it out to the backline to work. A neat offload by Barrett saw Billy Proctor dive over. This time Barrett was successful with the boot and gave his team a seven point advantage.
Armstrong Ravula kicked a successful penalty as they headed into half time with the Hurricanes ahead 17 – 13.
It stopped raining in the second half but the ground was wet and muddy and the teams were fixed on the territorial kicking strategy.
Jodie Barrett extended the Hurricanes lead early in the second half with a long range penalty goal.
The Drua hit back, chasing a high bomb by Ilaisa Droasese before Samusamuvodre lunged in for a timely intercept to run away for a beautiful try. The conversion was successful.
The score was locked at 20 – 20 and the Lautoka crowd was loving all the action.
The Drua were on the rampage and thrived in the difficult conditions.
In the 65th minute, the Drua decided to make use of the possession and spread the ball wide. Blindside flanker Etonia Waqa raced along the near sideline before diving over for a good try. The conversion was unsuccessful.
The Drua maintained their composure in the final 10 minutes. Their tackles were spot on as they defended the hurricanes big forward pack. Frank Lomani was devastating on defence.
In the end, the Fijian Drua won 25 – 20 to win their first game of the season.