The Crusaders have finally broken their losing streak to the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua in Fiji after claiming a 31-14 win in round 8 of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific that was held in Suva today.
The Crusaders have never beaten the Drua in Fiji but the tables have turned today.
The Crusaders showed dominance in the first half scoring three tries through halfback Noah Hotham, Antonio Shalfoon and Chay Fiaki with Taha Kemara adding 1 conversion for a 17-0 at the break.
The visitors continued their onslaught in the second half with two more tries through Macca Springer and Ioane Moananu to extend their lead to 31-0.
Drua managed to score two consolation tries through Isikeli Rabitu in the 65th minute and Etonia Waqa in the 69th minute for the final score.
The home side had themselves to blame for the amount of missed opportunities and ball-handling errors that proved too costly for them.
Meanwhile, Moana Pasifika created another upset today after thumping the Waratahs 45-28, while the Chiefs defeated the Reds 27-15 last night.
In other matches tonight, the Blues will play the Hurricanes at 6.05 tonight and the Force will take on the Highlanders at 8.35 tonight.
Live Updates
0' Fijian Drua kicks off the first half.
3' Drua penalised inside their 5 metre line. DRU 0-0 CRU
5' Great hands by Crusaders leads to a try for Noah Hotham. Taha Kemara converts. DRU0-7 CRU
7' Crusaders knocks the ball on from kick off. Drua awarded a scrum inside the Crusaders' territory. DRU 0-7 CRU
11' Crusaders knocked the ball on inside Drua's 22 metre line. DRU 0-7 CRU
15' Drua knocks the ball on on the halfway line. Scrum to the Crusaders. DRU 0-7 CRU
17' Referee calls for a water break. DRU 0-7 CRU
18' Antonio Shalfoon extends the Crusaders' lead with a try. DRU 0-12 CRU
19' Kemara misses the conversion. Score remains. DRU 0-12 CRU
21' Chay Fihaki finishes off a wonderful passing move by Crusaders. Conversion unsuccessful. DRU 0-17 CRU
25' Frank Lomani subbed off with suspected shoulder injury. Simione Kuruvoli comes in for the Drua. DRU 0-17 CRU
40' Crusaders opts for a kick at goal 64 metres out.
40' Fihaki fails the attempt.
Halftime Drua 0-17 Crusaders.
40' Crusaders kicks off the second half. DRU 0-17 CRU
54' Crusaders continues their onslaught inside the Drua's territory. DRU 0-17 CRU
56' Mecca Springer scores another converted try for the Crusaders to extend their lead. DRU 0-24 CRU
63' Crusaders are only a few metres out, surely they must score! And they do with Ioane Moananu touching down. Conversion successful. DRU 0-31 CRU
65' Isikeli Rabitu scores a converted try. DRU 7-31 CRU
69' Etonia Waqa scores the Drua' s secon converted try. DRU 14-31 CRU
FULLTIME: CRUSADERS 31-14 FIJIAN DRUA
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