Fijiana Drua claim back-to-back Super W titles after defeating Reds

The Fijiana Drua have claimed back-to-back Super W titles with a 38-30 win over the Queensland Reds in Townsville.

The Reds had claimed their previous match-up a fortnight ago with a second-half blitz.

However, the Drua turned the tide with a stunning ten-minute display to put the game out of reach.

They scored 24 points in the space of ten minutes to secure victory.

The Reds launched a late attack, however, it was too little, too late as they failed to claim the title in their fifth Super W Final

“Before we went into this week, we talked about creating your own history,” captain Bitila Tawake said.

“We had a new bunch of girls this year and we told them if you want to win, you have to create your own history and then they did it today.

“It’s like winning the World Cup to us back at home. It means so much to us that we can do something big.”

It was a perfect start for the hosts as young centre Alana Elisaia took on the line in the 3rd minute, sprinting away for the opener.

The defending champions refused to panic in eventually troubled the hosts off the counter-attack.

It allowed Bitila Tawake to dive over from close to level the scores before Sulita Waisega found space and put Mereoni Nakesa over as they took a quick 14-7 lead.

Simon Craig’s side proceeded to control the first half from here, however, found stubborn resistance in the Drua defence.

They looked to spread it wide but the Fijians refused to break, forcing mistakes at crucial moments.

Cecilia Smith looked damaging throughout the Final but they couldn’t make the final pass stick as Smith’s boot reduced the margin to four at the break.

The Reds then found the lead when a short side raid found Elisaia into space, with Ivania Wong putting Renae Nona for the try.

This kicked Fiji into life with a stunning ten minute period.

Sereima Leweniqila was rewarded for great support work, collecting the loose ball back from Tawake to respond instantly.

Adita Milinia then finished off a great team try before flanker Karalaini Naisewa sprinted away to complete a dominant spell.

The game was well and truly out of reach when the Reds started their comeback via the rolling maul and Tiarna Molloy.

Two late yellow cards to the Drua opened the door slightly, however, their defence held strong to secure back-to-back titles despite a late Sam Curtis try.

REDS 30

TRIES: Elisaia, Nona, Molloy, Curtis

CONS: Smith 3/4

PENS: Smith 2/2, Dallinger 0/1

DRUA 38

TRIES: Tawake, Nakesa, Leweniqila, Milinia, Naisewa

CONS: Basei 5/5

PENS: Basei 1/1

QUEENSLAND REDS v FIJIANA DRUA TEAMS

REDS (1-15): Bree-Anna Cheatham, Tiarna Molloy,  Cristo Tofa, Deni Ross, Annabelle Codey, Carola Kreis, Shannon Parry (c), Haidee Head, Diane Hiini, Carys Dallinger, Ivania Wong, Cecilia Smith, Alana Elisaia, Helena Young, Renae Nona,

RESERVES: Madi Schuck, Tazmin Sheppard, Theresa Soloai, Tina Campbell, Hana Lane, Sarah Lewis, Ellie Draper, Sam Curtis

DRUA (1-15):  Bitila Tawake (c), Keleni Marawa, Siteri Rasolea, Mereoni Nakesa, Asinate Serevi, Karalaini Naisewa, Sulita Waisega, Serima Leweniqila, Evivi Senikarivi, Jeniffer Ravutia, Kolora Lomani, Merwai Cumu, Vani Va’aga, Adita Milinia, Basei RESERVES: Joma Rubuti, Anna Korovata, Jade Coates, Doreen Narokete, Adi Fulori Nabura, Setaita Railumu, Wainikiti Vosadruau, Laisani Moceisawana.