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
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