Brumbies Stumble Against Fijian Drua in Historic Ba Encounter
The ACT Brumbies have endured a challenging outing, succumbing to their first-ever defeat at the hands of the Fijian Drua. The 42-27 loss in Fiji marks the second consecutive Super Rugby Pacific defeat for the Canberra-based outfit.
A Heavily Rotated Squad Faces Tough Opposition
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham was forced to make a significant number of changes to his lineup, with ten players either rested due to player management protocols or sidelined by injuries. This heavily rotated squad faced a formidable challenge: the dynamic Fijian Drua, who were fresh off a bye week and buoyed by a passionate home crowd. The match, held at the sold-out Four R Stadium in Ba, Fiji, was further complicated by the wet and humid conditions that enveloped the venue on Saturday.
The first half saw a spirited contest, with both teams trading blows. However, the Fijian Drua managed to establish a 20-12 lead by halftime. In the second stanza, the home side intensified their pressure, extending their advantage to a commanding 20-point lead with less than 30 minutes left on the clock. Despite the Brumbies managing to score three tries, the Drua held firm, ultimately dashing the Brumbies’ aspirations of reclaiming the top spot on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder.
“They got into a bit of Fijian rugby, and we weren’t clinical enough to close out opportunities,” commented Brumbies fullback Andy Muirhead in the aftermath of the match. “We’ve got to have a goldfish memory about this one, review it quickly, and move on.”
Drua’s Home Advantage Proves Decisive
This victory represents a significant achievement for the Fijian Drua, marking their second win against a top-two opponent this season. Earlier in February, they had defeated the then-ladder-leading Hurricanes 25-20 in a home fixture. The match in Ba was particularly special, as it was the Drua’s inaugural game in the town.
Drua co-captain Frank Lomani expressed the team’s pride in their performance. “We came down on Tuesday and we spoke about a historic moment here in Ba and that we had to perform,” Lomani stated. “It was so energetic. We could feel them (the crowd). They were with us on the field.” The palpable energy from the home supporters clearly played a crucial role in motivating the Drua.
Glimmers of Brilliance Amidst the Defeat
Despite the loss, the Brumbies can draw some positives from the individual performances. Twenty-one-year-old back-rower Toby Macpherson made a notable impact in his first start, bagging a brace of tries. Wallabies star Rob Valetini also put in a characteristic shift in his 100th Super Rugby game, contributing 44 metres gained and making 17 tackles.
The Brumbies opened the scoring through Hudson Creighton. A swift passage of play saw Kye Oates break through the Drua’s defence, before offloading to Klayton Thorn. Thorn’s well-placed grubber kick found Creighton, who dived over for the opening try.
The Fijian Drua responded quickly, with blindside flanker Etonia Waqa crossing the try line. Their momentum was briefly halted when teammate Mesake Doge was shown a yellow card. Capitalising on the numerical advantage, Macpherson powered over for his first try in the 25th minute.
However, the Drua then surged ahead, scoring three consecutive tries through Elia Canakaivata, Sairusi Ravudi, and Ilaisa Droasese. Macpherson managed to secure his second try by pouncing on a loose ball, and a subsequent link-up between Ryan Lonergan and Creighton brought the Brumbies within ten points.
Although Andy Muirhead scored a consolation try in the 80th minute, it was not enough to alter the outcome, especially after Droasese had crossed for his try in the 70th minute, sealing the victory for the Fijian Drua. The Brumbies will need to regroup and address their performance before their next fixture.
