The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua have once again returned to the winning circle after beating the Waratahs 28-14 in their Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific clash at Churchill Park in Lautoka this afternoon.
The win has also seen them keep a winning record in Lautoka by securing their 8th consecutive win at the venue.
Star fly half Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula was the toast of the Drua side as he kicked a total of 11 points in the match through three penalty kicks at goal and 1 conversion.
Ravula put the Drua into an early 6-0 lead with two penalty kicks in the first 13 minutes of the match.
Flanker Motikiai Murray extended the Drua’s lead to 13-0 with a converted try in the 23rd minute before the Waratahs replied with a try from replacement number 8 Langi Gleeson a few minutes later to trail 7-13.
Winger Ponipate Loganimasi then scored another try with conversion unsuccessful to help the Drua head into the break with a comfortable 18-7 lead.
Ravula added another penalty kick at goal in the 50th minute to help the Drua extend their lead to 21-7 before the Waratahs replied with a converted try in the 57th minute to trail 21-14.
Both teams fought tooth and nail until the final whistle but a little infringement after the full time hooter at the Waratahs try line saw the referee giving the Drua a penalty try in the end.
The win has also seen the Drua secure a bonus point win.
The Drua now turn their focus on to another must win match against the Moana Pasifika next Saturday at 4.35pm at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland.
Match Updates by Mikaele Liga
1st minute kick-off from Drua fly-half Isaiah Armstrong Ravula, received by Waratahs they kick for clearance... line out to Drua
2nd Minute offside to Waratahs, flanker gets penalized, Drua kicks for goal and leads 3-0.
5th Minute Waratahs attack the Drua lines and they lose the ball due to hard tackles from the Drua.
In the 7th minute, Drua is playing on the right side of the field, launching a good attack from the line out, Drua loses the ball, scrum to the Tahs.
9 minute big scrum from the Drua, they win the scrum and they kick for touch, another chance to launch an attack.
11th Minute Tahs lose the ball from a set piece, and Drua is awarded a scrum, another chance to launch another attacking opportunity 10 meters from try line.
12 minute Ravula kicks for goal, extending their lead to 6-0.
15th minute Ikanivere breaks the line as the Drua launches another attack ,and Nasilasila loses the ball forward.
Tahs attacking the Drua half in the 19th minute they loose the ball and Loganimasi breaks the line to run 15metres before losing the ball.
21st minute officials call for a water break.
22nd minute Motikai Murray picks the ball from the ruck, runs through the defense line for the first try of the game, Drua leads 13-0.
25th minute Tahs are finally in the Drua 5 meters line as they attack the line and Langi Gleeson scores tahs first try.13-7
30th minute Ravula kicks the ball and finds a good pocket to launch another attack.
32nd minute Drua given another scrum to attack from Tahs 20 meter line, Drua attacking going into their 8 phase. Penalty awarded to Drua,they take another scrum
38th minute Loganimasi finishes an impressive team try to extend their lead 2 minutes from half time 18-7
40th minute Tahs kicks off and retains the ball and wins the first penalty of the second half.
43rd minute Drua awarded a scrum opts for a quick kick, the full back for tahs drops the ball,scrum to Drua.
46th minute tahs throws into the line out and refs call for a penalty to Drua,tahs hooker not throwing the ball straight.
50th minute Loganimasi taken out on a late tackle and drua capitalizes,Ravula kicks for goal and converts the first point of the second half for Drua, extending their lead 21-7.
55th minute Tahs get a chance to score, opting for a scrum 10 meters away from Drua score line.
56th minute, Tahs score a try after dominating some territory, closing the deficit 21-14
60th minute Rabitu loses the ball,scrum to the tahs in their half.
61st minute, second water break of the game.
64th minute, another chance to score for the tahs as they take the line out, rumbles and Drua uses the touch line as defense pushing the Tahs out.
67th minute tahs loses the ball and valetini kicks the ball in Tahs half to launch a defensive effort.
70th minute Drua opts for a lineout throw and attacks the tahs line ,they lose the ball again and tahs capitalize.
74th minute Drua attacking the tahs line and forced them to win another penalty as they opt for goal to extend their lead
78th minute all hands on hips players are gassed as Drua opts for scrum.
80th minute Valetini kicks for another goal to secure victory in Lautoka and misses the kick as scuffle breaks in the last minute.
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