Continue the momentum: Lomani

After the 42-27 win over the Brumbies, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua wants to continue on with that momentum when they take on the Queensland Reds at Churchill Park, Lautoka, this Saturday.

This was view of Drua captain Frank Lomani as he also praised his vice-captains of Iosa Nasilasila and Tuidraki Samusamuvodre for making his work much easier.

A disappointed Brumbies captain Adam Miurhead said they simply failed to take their opportunities.

“We dominated the territory and possession in the first half but we just didn’t capitalise on mistakes and got them into our half because of ill-discipline,” he said.

“Big win for the Drua and big win for Fiji rugby.”

Playing under humid conditions, Drua started strongly to take an early 3-0 lead in the 5th minute when first five-eighth Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula kicked over a penalty after the Brumbies were caught offside.

Fijian Drua debutant Iosefo Namoce on the run against the Brumbies during their Super Rugby clash at the Four R Stadium in Ba on March 14, 2026.

Photo: Leon Lord

The visitors hit back with a try to winger Hudson Creighton after following through a grubber kick from halfback Klayton Thorn, the conversion went wide as they took the lead 5-3.

Drua played open rugby, which opened up gaps in the Brumbies defence. Samusamuvodre from a passing movement ran straight to commit two players and created a gap for flanker Etonia Waqa to score their first try in the corner. Ravula converted as Drua regained the lead 10-5.

The Brumbies dominated the breakdown and continued to apply the pressure. Drua gave away several penalties before referee Paul Williams showed the yellow card to prop Mesake Doge in the 18th minute. The Drua defence desperately held on as they connected with their one-on-one tackles.

In the 25th minute young Brumbies lock Toby Macpherson crashed over for a try and Drua No.8 Elia Canakaivata copped a yellow card for an infringement. The conversion went over as the Brumbies regain the lead 12-10.

Fijian Drua playmaker Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula is tackled against the Brumbies during their Super Rugby clash at the Four R Stadium in Ba on March 14, 2026.

Photo: Leon Lord

Playing with 13-men, the Drua struck back to take the lead 13-12 in the 26th minute when Ravula converted his second penalty.

The hosts never looked back as the Brumbies struggled to keep up with the pace of the game. From a forward rush, Canakaivata picked up a loose ball to dive over to score their second try with Ravula adding the extras for a 20-12 lead at halftime.

Heavy rain marked the start of the second half and in the 44th minute from a rolling maul Drua hooker Sairusi Ravudi peeled off to score a try on his debut, the conversion went wide, as they extended the lead 25-12.

In the 51st minute the Drua increased their lead to 32-12 when a crosskick from Ravula found winger Joji Nasova who committed the last defender before offloading the ball to Ilaisa Droasese to score in the corner. Ravula kicked over the conversion.

The Brumbies fought back as Macpherson scored his second try in the 54th minute. The conversion went wide as they trailed 32-17.

Fijian Drua blindside flanker Etonia Waqa fends against the Brumbies during their Super Rugby clash at the Four R Stadium in Ba on March 14, 2026. Drua won 42-27.

Photo: Leon Lord

In the 58th minute under slippery conditions, Ryan Lonergan exchanged passes with Creighton before going over for a try, which was not converted, as they narrowed the deficit to 32-22.

In the 66th minute Ravula landed his third penalty to extend Drua’s lead to 35-22.

In the 70th minute in a moment of brilliance Samusamuvodre kicked behind the Brumbies defence, collected the ball and offloaded it to Droasese to score his second try with Ravula converting for a 42-22 win.

The Brumbies kept coming back with Muirhead scoring a consolation try as they bowed out 42-27.

Highlights

• Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula is the first Fijian Drua player to score over 200 points in Super Rugby.
• The first Super Rugby match to be played at the Four R Stadium in Ba.
• Sairusi Ravudi scored a try on his Super Rugby debut
• Brumbies No.8 Rob Valetini played his 100th Super Rugby match.

Other results

Hurricanes 31-23 Force, Drua 42-27 Brumbies, Crusaders 29-18 Highlanders, Reds 26-17 Waratahs.