Drua Claim Win Over Waratahs To Keep Alive Hopes Of Finishing Top Six

Saturday, 19 April 2025, 6:45 pm
Article: RNZ

Iliesa Tora, RNZ Pacific

The Fiji Drua claimed a hard fought 28-14 win over the Waratahs to keep their hopes of finishing in the top six of the Super Rugby Pacific competition alive, in Lautoka on Saturday afternoon.

Although that hope might be slim, the victory certainly brought smiles to Fijian fans who turned up to witness the team win their eighth straight win at Churchill Park.

Head coach Glen Jackson had stated in the week the team needs to get a win to set the pace for them on the home run in the competition, with five games to go.

Captain Mesulame Dolokoto said it was great to win again, after five disappointing weeks where they had been on the losing end.

"Really happy," he said minutes after the match ended.

"It's been a tough five weeks but credit to the boys for not giving up, for turning up every Monday and not giving up.

"Thanks to the fans for turning up, I know the past five weeks have been tough on you guys."

Dolokoto said Churchill Park had been a good ground for them and a special place, a fortress where they had been able to get wins.

Waratahs captain Sinclair said they lost to a better team who took their chances, adding Churchill Park was turning into a tough place to visit and play at.

"It's a tough place to play footy, but it's awesome," he said.

"We didn't show up to be honest. We out ourselves in position in the second half but they were too good and turned us away.

"They played the conditions well and there was a bit of free flowing footy and that is what they love. We fell off too many tackles in the first half."

The loss meant the Waratahs' losing streak on away matches continued for another week.

Fijian Drua led 18-7 at halftime, with two tries from Motikai Murray and Ponipate Loganimasi.

Wallaby loose Langi Gleeson, who has Fijian heritage, claimed the Waratahs lone try in the first 40, bulldozing through would be tacklers to dive over the Drua line.

Captain Mesulame Dolokoto and his pack dominated the scrums over their opposition, with flanker Sosi Waqa also claiming a number of lineout takes and making good breaks during the first half.

With Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka watching from the corporate box, the Drua took to the game well, with flyhalf Isaiah Washington-Ravula claiming two successful penalties to have the side 6-0.

The second half started with a bang again for the Drua but a forward pass from a Ravula flick back in to replacement prop Emosi Tuqiri denied what would have been a sure try.

Waratahs also started to gain some momentum but a loose ball inside the Drua 22 saw Ravula lead a counter move which ended up with a successful penalty kick just a metre outside the Waratahs 22 metre zone.

That gave the Drua a 21-7 lead, with 30 minutes to go.

Former rugby league player Joseph Aukuso-Suaali was not given much space to play the ball and only had a few glimpses in the entire game.

He was almost over in the 55th minute, held up by the Drua defence before replacement hooker Julian Heaven picked up the loose ball from the base of the scrum and diver over to claim Waratahs' second try.

With 20 minutes to go and Drua leading 21-14, the two teams showed a lot of urgency on attack.

Gleeson slammed replacement Drua halfback Leone Nawai with a sledgehammer of a tackle that sent the ball flying forward from the Hamilton-based player.

Then from a lineout maul the Waratahs were denied another try in the corner, with Taniela Rakuro wrapping captain Hugh Sinclair over the sideline next to the corner flag.

As the Waratahs applied the pressure again, a turnover ball gave replacement fullback Kemu Valetini the opportunity to send a long kick down deep into the Waratahs 22, claiming a 50/22.

With five minutes to go before fulltime Valetini opted for a kick at goal, 52 metres from the posts but swung the ball to the left.

Then on the 80 minutes mark he missed his second attempt also.

And as the Waratahs defence desperately tried to counter from deep inside their dead ball area, the Drua were awarded a penalty try to end the game, with Suaali guilty of playing the ball in an offside position, after it was knocked forward to him from a fellow teammate.

Referee Paul Williams ruled Suaali's action prevented the Drua from scoring a sure try, with some of their players around the Waratahs fullback.

In an earlier game on Friday night, the Crusaders pipped defending champions, the Blues, 25-22, in Christchurch.

That win ensured the former champions continue to lead the competition points table, going into the 11th round next week.

© Scoop Media

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