Centre Iosefo Masi is the first Swire Shipping Fijian Drua player to score three tries in one match as they beat Moana Pasifika 47-46 in today’s Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific clash in Lautoka.  

The one-point win has kept the Drua’s hopes of a top eight finish alive. 

A disappointed Drua captain Meli Derenalagi said the match has exposed weaknesses in their set piece.

“We need to work on this before we play Reds,” he said. 

Drua forwards coach Greg Flemming said during the halftime break as they were leading 26-24 that they need to work on their defence and discipline. 

In the first half Drua’s tries came from Derenalagi, Masi, Ilaisa Droasese and Eroni Sau with Frank Lomani landing three conversions. 

The Moana Pasifika took a 27-26 lead early in the second half. This was before Drua scored tries to Droasese dotting down his second and Masi’s double.    

Replacement prop Emosi Tuqiri was yellow carded in the 77th minute for infringing during the lineout.  

The Drua takes on Queensland Reds at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, next Saturday at 4.35pm. 

Story By: ioane.asioli@fijisun.com.fj