THE Swire Shipping Fijian Drua continued their impressive home form at Churchill Park with a 28-14 victory over the NSW Waratahs in steamy Lautoka, further cementing Churchill Park as a fortress.
Drua’s win compounded the Waratahs’ away-game struggles, marking their ninth consecutive road loss — their worst run since 1996-97.
Dominating early with 66 per cent possession in the first half, the Drua set the tone in energy-sapping conditions.
Flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula opened the scoring with two penalty goals, before tries from flanker Motikiai Murray and winger Ponipate Loganimasi exposed weak defensive efforts by the Waratahs, particularly debutant Jamie Adamson.
By halftime, the hosts had surged to an 18-7 lead.
Despite a spirited second-half fightback from a depleted Waratahs side, missing key Wallabies and suffering three more injuries during the match, the Drua remained composed.
Langi Gleeson gave the visitors hope with a powerful try, and hooker Julian Heaven added another to narrow the gap to seven.
However, the Drua’s relentless physicality and home-ground resilience prevailed.
The Waratahs’ hopes of salvaging a bonus point were dashed after the fulltime siren when the Drua earned a penalty try, sealing the 14-point win.
With the victory, the Drua not only deepened the Waratahs’ travel woes but also showed they remain a formidable force on home soil, especially in the humid Fijian heat that again necessitated a second-half drinks break.
Now with renewed confidence and a proud home streak intact, the Drua have reaffirmed their status as a side no team can underestimate, especially in Lautoka.
Meanwhile, the Waratahs head into their bye week with pressure mounting and their top-six position under threat.
