SUPER Rugby Fijian flyer Eto Nabuli scored the winning try for the Queensland Country to down the Fiji Airways Drua 24-17 at Lautoka’s Churchill Park yesterday.
Both teams were tied 17-all when Nabuli showcased sheer strength and pace to bulldoze his way past Fijian fullback Apisalome Waqatabu to score his team’s bonus point try in the last quarter.
Nabuli’s fellow countryman and Queensland Country flyhalf Teti Tela also contributed to the fall of the Drua team scoring a try in the second spell.
The visitors started the game strongly with hard running number 8 Caleb Timu scoring a double in the first spell before the Fijians slowly found their rhythm to score a try through their captain John Stewart.
Fullback Apisalome Waqatabu added the extras as the visitors led 12-7 at the break.
Fiji bounced back strongly in the second spell to score its second try. A line-out steal early in the second spell inside the visitors 22m line gave the Fijians the perfect attacking opportunity and after a quick-hands by the backline saw the fullback Waqatabu unmarked on the flanks to score.
Queensland hit back with a try to Tela before the Fijians showcased its trademark open rugby and off-load game for halfback Frank Lomani to dive over.
Flyer Eroni Sau broke loose from the midfield and sprinted 60metres before being stopped by the oppositions. As the Aussies thought of stopping Sau — he miraculously threw a ‘no look back pass’ to the hands of Lomani to score Fiji’s third try. But the visitors had the last laugh with a try to Nabuli to win the game.
Queensland coach Brad Thorn admired the Fijians brand of attacking and off-loading game.
He also praised the effort of the Fijian boys in his team such as Nabuli, Tela, Filipo Daugunu and Kirwin Sanday.
