THE Fiji Airways Drua side made a winning start to it’s 2018 National Rugby Championship campaign earlier this afternoon thumping Melbourne Rising 40-12 at Ratu Cakobau Park.
Fiji led 14-7 at half-time.
After a scoreless first quarter, the visitors were first on the board through wing Tomas English in the 27th minute.
Fijian wing Levani Kurumudu replied instantly from the kick off to dot down under the posts and level the scores, 7-all.
Five minutes from half-time, fly half Alivereti Veitokani picked up a loose ball from inside his own 22, combined well with his halves pair of Frank Lomani and took the return pass and touch down to put Fiji ahead.
Fiji Drua fullback Apisalome Waqatabu scored within the first two minutes of the second spell to extend Fiji’s lead to 19-7.
Melbourne Rising fullback Justin Marsters dived in the corner to keep the visitors in the game and close the gap to 19-12.
Fiji Drua then scored three tries in seven minutes through replacements Serupepeli Vularika, John Dyer while wing Avete Daveta also scored to put the scoreline beyond doubt.
English added another try for the Rising on the stroke of full-time but it was only consolation for the visitors.
Veitokani was awarded with the Player of the match Award receiving $500 from the Tappoo Group.
Fiji Drua will host Brisbane City next Saturday at Lautoka’s Churchill Park.
