The Swire Shipping-sponsored Fijian Drua team travels to New Zealand this week with heads held high after scoring their second victory in the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific competition yesterday.
They will meet 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa champion Crusaders in Christchurch this week after a clinical 34-19 historic win against fellow debutante Moana Pasifika at the CommBank Stadium in Sydney, Australia last night.
The Mick Byrne-coached Fijians scored a bonus win after sailing over Moana – which means ocean – by running in four tries to sit on 11th position on the standings after two wins, gathering 11 points after 12 games.
The Fijian Drua tries came from No.8 Te Ahiwaru ‘Big T’ Cirikidaveta in the 5th minute, winger Vinaya Habosi two minutes later, and two from Apisalome Vota – 31st, 69th.
Flyhalf Teti Tela kicked four conversions and two penalties.
Skipper Meli Derenalagi, who was like a hawk with surprise flank partner Mesulame Dolokoto, said they stayed focused throughout the match because it was a physical encounter.
“We thank the Almighty God for giving us the strength to be able to win today (yesterday),” the young Nadi chief said.
“We came out hard and gave all our efforts from what we worked on throughout the week.”
His counterpart Sekope Kepu said the match was more than what happened on the field.
“Today (yesterday) was a special day, a historic day for Pacific Island people, for Polynesian people,” the former Wallabies rep told Fijian commentator Leilani Burnes.
“Obviously it’s a disappointing result for us. A couple of the early tries, the bounce of the ball can be quite cruel sometimes, but that’s Fijian style rugby, pouncing on every opportunity you get.”
With the thrilling display against the Highlanders at the ANZ Stadium in Suva a fortnight ago is still fresh in fans’ minds despite last week’s thrashing from the Hurricanes, the Fijian Drua got off to the perfect start in the fifth minute as Cirikidaveta capped off an eight-phase attack to use his bulk to crash over for the first try.
Tela converted for 7-0.
The try added adrenaline to the improving Fijians, who were out to prove critics wrong.
Two minutes later, the most improved debutante winger of the season, Vinaya Habosi took advantage of a loose pass from the opposition which bounced up perfectly for him and sped away 50 metres to the try line.
Tela was on target again for 14-0 lead.
Moana Pasifika replied through Solomone Funaki, but Vota pushed the Drua ahead with his first touchdown 10 minutes from halftime.
Moana Pasifika sent Abraham Pole to the line after they rolled their way from a lineout five metres to the line as the Fijian Drua led 24-12 at the break.
Moana Pasifika opened the second spell with a try to Fijian Timoci Tavatavanawai to narrow the gap to 19-24 in the final quarter.
The Drua kept on hitting the opposition with heavy tackles and dived at every loose ball to a allow a Tela penalty and Vota’s second try.
Moana Pasifika failed to rattle the Fijians as the Drua marched on after winning about 20 turnovers and stole balls at every opportunity during the match.
In the end they won 34-19 for their second victory of the season.
