New Super Rugby side The Fijian Drua, claimed their first ever Super Rugby win yesterday.
The Fijian Drua recorded their first ever competitive win yesterday against the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby Pacific yesterday. The Drua ran out 31-26 winners in the third round of Super Rugby Pacific yesterday.
The Rebels fought back to claim themselves a losing bonus point in the dying stages as they finished the game off with a well worked score.
Melbourne started the game off going up by 14 points as the Rebels bagged themselves two converted tries to start the game off well. The Drua didn’t record their first points of the match until the 39th minute. A lucky bounce of the rugby ball off a kick from number 10 Caleb Muntz allowed the Drua quick front foot ball inside the Rebels 22. They shifted the ball down the short side and winger Ratave gassed the last defender to score in the corner.
Inside the second half, flanker Miramira showed some serious pace to race down the touchline following a loose lineout from the rebels. Miramira ran from inside his own half to get the score.
In the 54th minute of the game, the Fijian Drua scored a brilliant and crucial try to increase their lead to 8 points. This came out at a crucial time in the match when the game was still in the balance. After winning a turnover penalty on halfway, some quick thinking from scrumhalf Peni Matawalu as he took a quick tap on the penalty, drawing defenders and putting the ball on a platter for centre Apisalome Vota to score. Matawalu had som much work to do but some excellent footwork, allowed him to get on the defenders soft shoulders, getting the offload away while attracting 3 defenders.
Three more penalties from substitute Teti Tela would be enough to seal a first ever victory for the Fijian Drua. History was made for the Fijian side yesterday and undoubtedly head coach Mick Byrne will be very pleased.
Melbourne, a city of 5 million. Fiji, a country of less than a million. One backed by a rich country. The other a relatively impoverished nation. Let that sink in. Well done @Fijian_Drua! Brilliant victory. So happy for you. 🎉#DRUvREB #SuperRugbyPacific #SuperRugby
— Declan Keyes-Bevan (@deckeyesbevan) March 4, 2022
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