Kemu Valetini saved the day for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua with a superb drop goal in extra time to secure a thrilling 39-36 victory over the Waratahs at Churchill Park in Lautoka yesterday.
The Galoa, Kadavu native broke the Waratahs hearts after the visitors made a dramatic comeback in the second half.
Drua went into the break leading 26-10 with one try to Frank Lomani and three tries to Iosefo Masi.
The match ended in a 36-36 draw at full time, forcing play to go into extra time where the Drua stepped up their defence and maintained possession well.
Drua head coach Mick Byrne commended the team’s hard work in the first half. “We worked extremely hard in the first half to put ourselves in a good position and then full credit to the players when they were playing under pressure, they defended well.
“In the last golden point we found a way to win. I always tell the boys we always find new ways to win games,” Byrne said.
Byrne agrees the fans played a huge part in their win yesterday.
“The fans always play a huge part and they were great, with villages flooded, roads flooded and for all of them to come out today (yesterday) epitomises the spirit of rugby in Fiji,” he added.
Waratahs got off to a strong start in the opening 10 minutes, playing smart rugby upfront.
This allowed hooker Mahe Vailanu to score a try in the corner from a well-executed set piece play which was converted by Tane Edmed.
Waratahs continued to apply pressure, forcing another error from the Fijian brigade which allowed Edmed to add another three points through a penalty.
The Drua regrouped and scored their first try through Iosefo Masi under the posts which was converted by Isaiah Ravula.
The home side continued their dominance with ruthless attacking techniques, forcing errors from the Waratahs which saw scrum half Frank Lomani diving in the corner for their second try.
Ravula added the extra two points.
Drua, spurred on by the roaring crowd, continued their assault as Masi galloped to the tryline to secure his second and third tries for a comfortable first half lead.
The Waratahs started the second half strongly, with Charlie Gamble scoring their second try under the posts which was converted by Edmed.
However, the Drua regrouped quickly in the 49th minute and scored their fourth try through Tevita Ikanivere, with Ravula successfully converting to extend their lead 33-17.
Once again the Waratahs closed the gap with another try through inside centre Joey Walton which was successful converted.
More pressure from the Drua forced the visitors to make errors, allowing Ravula to kick another penalty and extend their lead to 36-24.
In the last quarter of play, scrappy play crept in from both sides and Kitione Salawa was sin-binned in the 62nd minute, leaving Drua to play with a man down.
This allowed Waratahs to score their fourth and fifth tries through Vailanu and Lachlan, with Edmed successful converting one.
Waratahs head coach Darren Coleman said, “Especially coming back from a draw, it’s pretty painful.
“Disappointed with our movement speed and our effort areas in the first half,” Coleman said.
