The Fijian Swire Shipping Fijian Drua continued their unbeaten streak in Lautoka with 28-14 win over the NSW Waratahs in front of a roaring Churchill Park crowd last Saturday,
The win extends their unbeaten home streak to eight games and keeps their finals hopes alive in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition.
Despite sitting at the bottom of the table with 11 points, the Fijian Drua still have a chance at a top-six finish if they win at least two of their remaining five matches and other results fall in their favour.
“We didn’t give up,” Drua captain Mesulame Dolokoto said post-match. “We kept trying and trusted each other and the game plan. This win is for our fans and for everyone celebrating Easter.”
Fly-half Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula led the way early, converting two penalty goals in the opening 12 minutes to put Drua ahead 6-0.
A dominant first half saw the hosts enjoying 66 per cent possession and controlling territory with relentless physicality, ultimately leading 18-7 at the break.
Flanker Motikiai Murray broke the deadlock with the first try in the 22nd minute, picking the ball from the ruck and slicing through the Waratahs defence.
Just before halftime, winger Ponipate Loganimasi capped off an eight-phase attacking move with a well-finished team try, beating two defenders to cross the line and further extend the lead.
Despite a spirited second-half comeback from the Waratahs, who scored through Langi Gleeson in the 25th minute and Julian Heaven in the 56th to reduce the gap to 21-14, the visitors fell short once again on the road.
With the match slipping away, the Waratahs suffered from discipline issues and handling errors in the steamy Lautoka heat, which forced officials to call two water breaks.
A penalty goal by Armstrong-Ravula and a last-minute penalty try sealed the victory for Drua and denied the Waratahs a crucial bonus point.
Dolokoto alsopraised his side’s resilience and spirit saying: “It’s been a tough five weeks for the fans and players. We didn’t give up, we kept trusting each other and the game plan. This one’s for everyone celebrating Easter and for our loyal fans here at home.”
The Waratahs, meanwhile, have now lost nine straight away matches for the first time since 1996-97.
Despite a call from coach Dan McKellar for his side to step up physically following heavy losses in New Zealand, the Waratahs were again second-best in collisions and struggled without key Wallabies resting under RA’s rotation policy.
Injuries to Ben Grant and Charlie Gamble within the first 20 minutes added to their woes.
The loss leaves the Waratahs clinging to sixth place with 21 points, while the Drua, despite the bonus-point win, remain at the bottom of the ladder with 11 points.
The Drua will next face Moana Pasifika in another crucial fixture at 4.35pm on Saturday 26 April at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland.
Scorers
Fijian Drua 28
Tries: Murray, Loganimasi, Penalty Try
Conversions: Armstrong-Ravula (1/2)
Penalties: Armstrong-Ravula (3/3), Valetini (0/2)
NSW Waratahs 14
Tries: Gleeson, Heaven
Conversions: Creighton (1/1), Edmed (1/1)
