Super Rugby Pacific: Blues thumps the Drua 36-5 at Eden Park in the third quarter final

Super Rugby Pacific: Blues thumps the Drua 36-5 at Eden Park in the third quarter final

By Mosese Raqio
Saturday 08/06/2024
Photo: Fijian Drua

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua’s 2024 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season has come to an end after losing 36-5 to the Blues in the third quarter final at Eden Park yesterday.

The Blues took a 22-0 lead in the first half heading into the break after scoring three tries through Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie and Caleb Clarke with flyhalf Harry Plummer adding two conversions and a penalty kick at goal.

The Drua started the second half well with an unconverted try to winger Selestino Ravutaumada, but the Blues went on to score two more converted tries through replacement hooker Kurt Eklund and Clarke for the win.

Drua captain Ratu Meli Derenalagi says they gave their all in the match but the Blues were just too good on their home ground.

Derenalagi says he was proud of how his players performed but they have taken out a lot of lessons from this match.

The Blues will now turn their focus to the semi finals next weekend.

They take on the Brumbies at 7.05pm on Friday while the Hurricanes take on the Chiefs at 4.35pm on Saturday.


Match Updates

0' Blues kick off the first half. DRU 0-0 BLU

0' Blues overcooked the kick off and kicked it straight into touch. Scrum to the Drua at the half way. DRU 0-0 BLU

1' Penalty awarded to the Blues inside their own territory. Blues opt for the lineout. DRU 0-0 BLU

3' Another penalty to the Blues inside the Drua's territory. They decide to go for the lineout. DRU 0-0 BLU

4' Drua wins a penalty inside their 22 metre line and have gone for touch. DRU 0-0 BLU

7' Penalty awarded to the Blues inside the Drua's 22 metre line. Blues kick for touch. DRU 0-0 BLU

9' Referee goes to the TMO to check for a try by the Blues. DRU 0-0 BLU

9' TRY!! TMO awards the try to Blues' flanker Dalton Papali'i. Conversion successful. DRU 0-7 BLU

15' Drua penalised inside their own 5 metre line for offside. DRU 0-7 BLU

16' Great defence from the Drua off the lineout, holding the ball up at the tryline. Goal line drop out to the Drua. DRU 0-7 BLU

18' Referee checking with TMO for a possible knock on leading up to the Blues' second try. DRU 0-7 BLU

18' TRY!! TMO confirms the try to Blues' Finlay Christie. Conversion successful. DRU 0-14 BLU

21' Blues awarded a penalty inside the Drua's 22 metre line. They opt for a kick at goal. DRU 0-14 BLU

23' Harry Plummer extends the Blues' lead with a penalty kick. DRU 0-17 BLU

29' Scrum awarded to the Drua at the halfway. DRU 0-17 BLU

30' Penalty awarded to the Blues off the scrum. DRU 0-17 BLU

33' Penalty to the Blues inside the Drua's territory, they go for touch. DRU 0-17 BLU

34' TRY!! Caleb Clarke scores the Blues' third try in the corner. Conversion unsuccessful. DRU 0-22 BLU

39' Blues knocks the ball on inside the Drua's 22 metre line. Scrum awarded to the Drua. DRU 0-22 BLU

HALFTIME: Drua 0-22 Blues

40' Drua kicks off the second half. Drua 22-0 Blues

22' TRY!!! Drua scores their first try through Selestino Ravutaumada. Conversion to come.  Drua 5-22 Blues

23' Conversion unsuccessful by Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula. Score remains. Drua 5-22 Blues.

45' Drua awarded a scrum after a knock on from the Blues. Drua 5-22 Blues

51' Penalty to Drua inside the Blues' territory. Drua opts for the lineout. DRU 5-22 BLU

51' Drua changes their mind and opts for the kick at goal. DRU 5-22 BLU

52' Ravula misses the penalty kick at goal. Score remains. DRU 5-22 BLU

56' Drua concedes a penalty inside the Blues' territory. Blues opts for the lineout. DRU 5-22 BLU

57' The Blues knocks the ball on inside the Drua's 22 metre line. Scrum to the Drua. DRU 5-22 BLU

63' TRY!! Kurt Eklund scores the Blues' fourth try. Conversion to come. DRU 5-27 BLU

64' Plummer converts the try. DRU 5-29 BLU

73' Scrum to the Drua inside the Blues' 5 metre line. DRU 5-29 BLU

77' TRY!! Another try to the blues through Caleb Clarke. Conversion successful. DRU 5-36 BLU

FULLTIME: Drua 5-36 Blues

FEATURE NEWS
KOICA proposes National Recovery Centre to address Fiji’s drug crisis
With the country struggling to handle the drug crisis and addiction, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is proposing to set up a Natio...
32 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
WRFL and PRF represent Fiji at the 2024 Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation Awards
Waste Recyclers Fiji Limited and the Pacific Recycling Foundation team represented Fiji at the prestigious 2024 Australian Packaging Covenant ...
22 minutes ago

NFA partners with Queensland Fire Service to modernize Fiji's emergency response
With new fire risks on the horizon, the National Fire Authority is collaborating with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Department to transform the ...
26 minutes ago

Women MPs voices is not resonating enough – Law student
Despite efforts made by women Parliamentarians to raise awareness about issues affecting women and children, their voices are not making a ...
1 hour ago

UniFiji School of Business and Economics Best Student Awards
University of Fiji Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem says the graduates of the University’s School of Business and Economics stand out not ...
1 hour ago

Duct-taped banana artwork sells for USD$6.2m in NYC
Maurizio Cattelan's provocative artwork of a banana duct-taped to a wall has fetched USD$6.2m at Sotheby's in New York - four times higher than ...
1 hour ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Doctor Alipate Vakamocea on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Fiji Medical Association President, Doctor Alipate Vakamocea will appear on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan The show will focus on ...
7 days ago

Mangal and Akauola on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Adult Teen Challenge Fiji Executive Director, Hemraj Mangal and Director, Matai Akauola appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan The ...
7 days ago

Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
14 days ago

TOP