At Churchill Park, Lautoka: Fijian Drua 24 (Taniela Rakuro 5’, 69’, Selestino Ravutaumada 36’ tries, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula 3 con, pen) Moana Pasifika 17 (Henry Taefu 48’, Sione Havili-Talituli 72’, Sama Malolo 76’ tries, Christian Leali’ifano con) HT: 17-0
- Fijian Drua beat Moana Pasifika 24-17 in their round 10 Super Rugby Pacific match.
- Drua winger Taniela Rakuro scored two tries in the win.
- Moana Pasifika went into halftime 17-0 down but scored two late tries to mount a late fightback.
Flying winger Taniela Rakuro helped himself to two tries as Fijian Drua bounced back to claim a tight 24-17 win over Moana Pasifika at their Lautoka fortress.
Although they lost to the table-topping Hurricanes in Suva last Friday, the Drua remain undefeated at Churchill Park.
The Drua were on course for a comfortable win after scoring 17 points without reply in the first half thanks to early tries from wingers Rakuro and Selestino Ravutaumada.
But Moana Pasifika set up a thrilling finale after outscoring the Drua three tries to one in the second half.
After a scoreless first half, Tana Umaga’s team finally got themselves on the scoreboard when Drua fullback Ilaisa Droasese spilled a kick in behind, allowing Henry Taefu to pounce in the 48th minute.
Rakuro’s 69th minute try in the left corner – his second of the afternoon – proved crucial though and gave the Drua just enough of a buffer that they were able to withstand Moana Pasifika’s late fightback.
Moana forwards Sione Havili-Talituli and Sama Malolo both scored tries in the final eight minutes to close the gap to seven points.
However, it was too little, too late after leaving themselves with too much work to do at halftime.
