THE Swire Shipping Fijian Drua fought their way to a 25-20 win over the Hurricanes at Churchill Park in Lautoka yesterday.
Under rainy weather and pressure mounting from losses in rounds one and two, the Drua came face to face with the Wellington defenders who were determined to humble the home side on their turf once again following their 26-40 loss to Moana Pasifika in round one.
The Hurricanes started strong however the Drua’s Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula clinched a penalty kick through to draw first blood for the home side in the fifth minute.
The ‘Canes answered in the 11th minute with a try from Finea Fineanganofo and a conversion by captain Jordie Barrett.
Searching onwards, the Drua found redemption with a penalty kick by Armstrong-Ravula as scores soared.
The Drua found the try-line again thanks to Motikiai Murray in the 29th minute and a kick by Armstrong-Ravula.
Billy Proctor of the ‘Canes extended their lead while Armstrong-Ravula answered before the breather with a penalty kick.
The Hurricanes led 17-13 at the break and afterwards, a penalty kick for the visitors extended their lead once more.
In the midst of uncertainty, an intercepted pass by Tuidraki Samusamuvodre saw him dive for his second-ever Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific try as Churchill Park erupted in jubilation.
As new life was infused into them, the Drua held onto possession for a majority of the remainder of the second half as both teams were tied 20-all.
With the power to win in their hands but at reach for the visitors, the Drua broke their 2026 season’s winless jinx with a try from Etonia Waqa in the 66th minute.
At 25-20, Churchill Park became a fiesta of sports as supporters of both teams were up on their feet and Drua supporters sang the iTaukei song “Noqu Vanua” in unison and channelled themselves to be the 16th player off the field.
As the clock ticked to 80 minutes, the Drua remained solid in their lead as the ball rested in the hands of half-back Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and flew forth into a much-needed win for the Glen Jackson-coached team.
