IT was an uphill battle from start to finish for the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua as they lost 35-50 to the Waratahs in Suva yesterday.
The Fijian Drua were locked out of an easy ascension into another potential home victory as the visitors held them off from seizing an opportunity to shine.
And six tries in the first half alone compared with the Drua’s single converted try left them trailing 7-36 at half-time.
Co-captain Temo Mayanavanua admitted the Waratahs were the better side, acknowledging how they marched in with an intent to win and achieved it.
“They brought the A-game and they got the reward; they were the better team at the end of the day,” Mayanavanua said after the match.
The Drua were spread thin by the quick and agile defence of the visitors, as the Waratahs mounted their successful campaign by executing set pieces when possession shifted within their ranks to the far end of their flanks.
Each try scored by the Waratahs was met with applause while any try by the Drua drew raucous cheers and applause from a packed HFC Bank Stadium.
The Drua depart the Capital City with their next assignment away from home when they face the Western Force in Perth, Australia next Saturday.
After that, it will be the final round of competition in the 2026 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season when they face the Queensland Reds on May 29 in Brisbane.
Mayanavanua admitted he and his teammates were disappointed in their loss and apologised for the result, with an emphasis on focusing on the two matches ahead.
Meanwhile, for the Waratahs, yesterday’s victory was a significant one; their first win on Fijian soil and the opportunity for Fiji-born Waratahs player Apolosi Ranawai to earn a win in a different jersey on home soil.
Ranawai also scored a try of his own yesterday, helping his side extend their distant lead over the Drua.
