The Fijiana Drua continues to make headlines. Despite making their debut in the Super W competition, the Fijiana is set to win their first Super W title.
The men’s team has a lot to learn from after their loss. Fijiana too hot to handle ‘Absolutely stunning’- that’s how rugby commentators described the hot running Fijiana Drua.
The Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua and the Wallaroos-laden Waratahs went into their Super W clash both undefeated in the 2022 competition to set up a tantalising top-of-the-table, winner-take-all clash.
With a 20-game winning streak under their belts, a last round 57-point drubbing of the Melbourne Rebels and a restful bye, the Waratahs had been expected to dominate against the competition’s newest expansion side, but the Fijiana took no notice of the script, blasting out of the blocks with their flashy footwork and solid ball carrying proving too much for the Waratahs as they took a 12-point (17-5) lead into the long break.
It was a momentum that continued in the second half with the Drua’s centre runs and offloading too much for their rattled opposition, the home team prevailing 29-10.
The Drua burst the Waratahs bubble to all, but book a berth in the Super W final.
The ‘Tahs had never previously lost since the advent of the women’s competition in 2018, but the four-time champions had no answer to their opponent’s attacking prowess and relentless defence.
A three-try blitz fired the Drua to a 17-0 lead, with classy outside backs Vitalina Naikore, Kolora Lomani and Timaima Ravisa finishing off long-range movements.
The runaway intercept try against the run of play to Raijieli Laqeretabua when fly half Merewalesi Rokouono was in the sin bin left the Waratahs playing catch-up in the second half, and when lock Sereima Leweniqila bagged the Drua’s fifth try, it signalled a major upset.
The Fijiana sits on top of the table after the win.
The merciless quashing of the Waratahs winning streak by the Fijiana was the standout performance of the first ever Drua home Super Rugby Pacific match at Cbus Super Stadium.
A huge credit to the Fijiana for playing their hearts out!
They deserve the Super W competition title! Waratahs down Fijian Drua The Drua ended round seven with another painful hammering.
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper made a successful, try-scoring comeback as the Waratahs crushed an ill-disciplined Fijian Drua 38-14 to keep their Super Rugby Pacific finals hopes alive.
The champion open-side flanker made an immediate impact, but really didn’t need to as the Drua proved their own worst enemy as they spent half an hour playing a man short after Nemani Nagusa was red-carded for a late and high tackle on Tane Edmed, and halfback Frank Lomani copped a yellow card for a third illegal tackle.
The Waratahs punished the Drua after both dismissals, piling on 24 points in the duo’s absence.
Another hammering, and back to the drawing board! With head coach Mick Byrne away after recording a positive COVID-19 test during the week, it was up to assistant coach, Brad Harris to take charge and rue another slow start.
Ball security let the Drua down in the first 20 minutes four or five times, and assistant coach Brad Harris added, “We can’t fault the effort of the boys, it is really there every week and we’re finishing the game strongly. I think that part of our learning and our growth is when pressure comes on to the game we need to solve problems together, not individually, so I think that’s something that the boys are learning as they get more experience at this level and I think that’s a big step up for a lot of them.”
The Drua needs to show that lessons have been learned after the losses as we complete.
The Drua needs to step up, maintain their discipline and play as a team. They must show they deserve a place in Super Rugby Pacific competition.
- RAJNESH LINGAM is a contributor to this newspaper. The views expressed are his and not necessarily of this newspaper or his employer.
