Defence and indiscipline were the Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua’s main downfall as they gave up their throne in Super Rugby W yesterday.
Three yellow cards plus a red to Jennifer Ravutia in the second half dented any hopes of a comeback as the inform Waratahs side reclaimed the title 50-14 at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane.
The Drua allowed the Tahs to gain easy metres throughout the match as they could not commit their one-on-one tackles especially in the midfield area.
The Waratahs first three tries to Desiree Miller and Maya Stewart were all gifted from the Drua following errors from their lineout and scrum.
Drua had numerous chances to score but they couldn’t hold on to the ball, but a deliberate knock-on by Miller gave the Fijian side seven points via a penalty try.
The Aussies led 17-7 at the break.
Hopes were high when captain Karalaini Naisewa scored from a lineout set-piece but things quickly took a turn when Adita Milinia and Ravutia were sent to the sinbin.
“The Waratahs had a good season and they deserve that. For us, we had some issues with discipline but credit to the girls for their effort,” Drua lock forward Jade Coates stated after the match.
Winger Miller and Katrina Baker scored a try each in that interval with Atasi Lafai adding the cream on the cake following a yellow to Asinate Serevi and red to Ravutia.
“We had some good moments in the game but the annoying thing is we are better than that,” Coates added.
Coates and Bitila Tawake were taken off the field due to injuries.
The Drua return to the country today.
