Western Force prove too strong for Fijian Drua

By Naveel Krishant

Sunday 08/09/2019

[Photo: Fiji Rugby]

Western Force winger Jonah Placid scored a hat-trick as they beat the Fiji Airways Fijian Drua 38-15 in the National Rugby Championship match at the ANZ Stadium.

The other tries for the Western Force were scored by Tevin Ferris, Byron Ralston and Jake Strachen as the visitors dominated the Drua.

😮Ferris straight off the restart! The @westernforce lead @FijianDrua 19-10 as we approach the half. #NRC19
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/dYXt7ukVj9 pic.twitter.com/T2Yl16P56t
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) September 7, 2019

Placid scored two tries in the first half before Serupepeli Vularika scored for the Fijian Drua.

⚡Jonah Placid off the mark! The Force currently lead the Fijian Drua 12-0 #NRC19
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/0hDBi2Yyeu pic.twitter.com/9ja91IE9wA
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) September 7, 2019

The Western Force scored two more tries as they led 26-10 at half-time.

Levani Kurumudu scored for Fiji in the second half as the Drua closed the gap to 26-15 before the Western Force scored two more tries to register the 38-15 win.

🏎 Kurumudu with speed to burn! @FijianDrua trail @westernforce 26-15. #NRC19
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/dYXt7ukVj9 pic.twitter.com/70PkDdYHnL
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) September 7, 2019

The Drua remains winless after two matches as they had drawn their first game against the Brisbane City last weekend.

The Fijian Drua will now play the NSW Country at 4pm next Saturday.

PLAY BY PLAY

Fijian Drua

15-38

Western Force

	TIME
	3'	Jonah Placid scores for the Western force to open their account.
	12'	Jonah Placid gets another for the Western Force
Serupepeli Vularika starts the comeback for the Drua crashing through the defense. Conversion is good.	19'
Fijian Drua convert a penalty	23'
	24'	Tevin Ferris scores for the Western Force and extends their lead. Conversion is good.
	39'	Byron Ralston scores for the Western Force as they pull further away from the Fijian Drua. Conversion is good.

Halftime 10-26

	TIME
Levani Kurumudu gets another in for Fijian Drua. Conversion no good.	'44
	'60	Jake Strachan gets another for the Western Force. Conversion unsuccessful.
	'72	Jonah Placid gets a hat trick with the successful conversion.