Drua survives, Force remains winless in Fiji

The centre pairing of Virimi Vakatawa and Tuidraki Samusamuvodre inspired the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua to a 24-22 win over the Western Force in their Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific clash at Churchill Park in Lautoka today.

Vakatawa, a late replacement, combined well with Samusamuvodre as they carved open the Force defence, creating opportunities for Isikeli Rabitu, Ilaisa Droasese, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula and debutant winger Isikeli Basiyalo.

The Western Force remain winless in Fiji in Super Rugby.

The visitors struck first when prop Misinale Epenisa crashed over in the ninth minute following sustained forward pressure, with Ben Donaldson converting for a 7-0 lead. Earlier, Drua flanker Etonia Waqa was yellow-carded in the eighth minute for a ruck infringement.

The Drua were initially let down by poor handling and decision-making, missing several scoring opportunities.

However, they hit back in the 20th minute when replacement hooker-turned-prop Penaia Cakobau powered over, with Armstrong-Ravula adding the extras to level the score at 7-7.

Basiyalo impressed under the high ball, repeatedly outjumping former All Blacks winger George Bridge in aerial contests.

The Drua then took control through slick backline play. Vakatawa broke the line to set up Samusamuvodre, who linked with Rabitu before delivering an inside pass to Armstrong-Ravula to score. He converted his own try for a 14-7 lead.

Moments later, Vakatawa again exposed the Force defence, sending Samusamuvodre through before the latter offloaded to Rabitu to score in the corner. The conversion was missed, giving the Drua a 19-7 halftime lead.

The Force responded strongly after the break, with winger Dylan Pietsch scoring an unconverted try to close the gap to 19-12.

Captain Jeremy Williams added another in the 58th minute, but the missed conversion left them trailing 19-17.

Basiyalo then delivered a crucial moment in the 61st minute, intercepting a loose pass from Kurtley Beale to race away for a try. The conversion was missed, extending the Drua’s lead to 24-17.

The Force stayed in the contest, with Will Harris crossing in the 70th minute, but Beale’s conversion attempt went wide.

Donaldson had a chance to snatch victory in the dying moments, but his 45-metre penalty attempt missed, sealing the Drua’s third win of the season.