Valetini drop goal leads to historic Drua win against the Waratahs

Valetini drop goal leads to historic Drua win against the Waratahs

By Alipate Narawa
Saturday 23/03/2024

Kemueli Valetini has done it again breaking the Waratahs hearts after a successful drop goal to give the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua their first win against the Waratahs in their round 5 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific match.

The final score during extra time was 39-36.

The visitors struck first with a converted try to give them an early 7-0 lead.

The Drua hit back in the 14th minute through try scoring machine Iosefo Masi with the conversion added by Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula 10-7.

Drua halfback Frank Lomani scored from a quick throw in at the lineout in the Waratahs 5 metre line with Armstrong Ravula adding the extra 2 points for the home side to finally take the lead 10-14.

Iosefo Masi got his second try in the corner in the 28th minute converted by Armstrong-Ravula to extend the lead to 10-21.

Iosefo Masi scored his third just before half-time with the Drua going in to the break leading 26-10.

The Waratahs struck first in the second half through Charlie Gamble under the sticks to keep them within reach at 17-26.

Drua hooker Tevita Ikanivere quickly replied for the home side in the 49th minute with Armstrong-Ravula adding the extras to extend the lead to 33-17

Joey Walton got one back for the visitors in the 57th to keep them in reach at 33-24.

Armstrong-Ravula was on fire from the kicking converting a penalty from 46 metres out for the Drua to lead 36-24.

Kitione Salawa was handed a yellow card in the 63rd minute which allowed the Waratahs back into the game.

Mahe Vailanu got his second try of the day in the 64th minute to close the score to 36-29.

The Waratahs clawed their way back into the game to tie things up at 36-all with a converted try.

The game went into golden point with the sides locked 36-all at full-time.

A yellow card to Peni Matawalu deflated the boys' spirits a bit but the drop goal from Kemu Valetini got the Lautoka crowd on their feet.

Match Report:

Drop goal from Kemu Valetini gives the Drua the victory. Drua 39-36 WAR.

Extra time: Yellow card Peni Matawalu, for hitting player on the head...

Full time: Drua 36-36 WAR. The game will go into extra time.

67th min: Isaiah Ravula steps up for the penalty. He misses. Drua 36-36 WAR

65th min: Try to Waratahs. Lachlan Swinton. Drua 36-36 WAR

59th min: Try to the Waratahs. Mahe Vailanu gets his second. Drua 36-29 WAR

58th min: Kitione Salawa receives a yellow card for continuous offside.Drua 36-24 WAR

59th min: Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula converts a penalty, Drua 36-24 WAR

56th min: Try to Waratahs. Joey Walton. Drua 33-24 WAR.

49th min: Try to Drua. Tevita Ikanivere. Drua 33 -17 WAR. Conversion successful

45th min: Try to Waratahs. Charlie Gamble. Drua 26-17 WAR.

39th min: Mark Nawaqanitawase gets a yellow card. big blow to the Waratahs. Drua 26-10 WAR

30th min: Drua close to the try line. Masi gets a hattrick. Drua 26-10 WAR. Conversion unsuccessful. 

Ravula converts. Drua 21-10 WAR

28th min: Try to Drua. Iosefor Masi goes in for his second. Drua 19-10 WAR. 

25th min: Waratahs on attack but the Drua defense holds on. Drua 14-10 WAR

Armstron Ravula converts. Drua 14-10 WAR

18th min: Try to Drua. Frank Lomani. Drua 12 - 10 WAR

13th min: Try to Drua. Iosefo Masi breaks through the Waratahs defense and scores between the sticks. Drua 7 - 10 WAR

12th min: Drua get a penalty inside Waratahs 22. Drua goes for the scrum. Drua 0 - 10 WAR

7th min: Drua caught overside. Waratahs get a penalty inside Drua's 22 metre. Tane Edmed steps up for a penalty and converts it. Drua 0 - 10 WAR

Conversion successful from Tane Edmed. Drua 0 - 7 WAR

3rd min: Try to Waratahs, Mahe Vailanu. Drua 0 - 5 WAR

1st min: great break from Taniela Rakuro.. but the ball gets knocked on...

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