Fijian Drua Achieve Historic First Super Rugby Pacific Victory Over Brumbies
The Fijian Drua have etched their name in the Super Rugby Pacific history books, clinching their maiden victory against the formidable ACT Brumbies with a thrilling 42-27 upset in Ba on Saturday. This landmark win not only marks a significant milestone for the Drua but also signifies the first-ever Super Rugby Pacific fixture to be held in the passionate rugby heartland of Ba.
The atmosphere in Ba was electric, with an exuberant crowd greeting the teams. The match itself was a spectacle of contrasting conditions, beginning under a scorching first-half sun before a dramatic thunderstorm descended in the second, adding another layer of intensity to the contest.
Historically, the Brumbies have held a dominant record over the Drua, having won all six of their previous encounters. While the Canberra-based side managed to match their hosts on the scoreboard with five tries, their goalkicking efforts fell significantly short.
Crucially, Fijian fly-half Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula was on fire with his boot, accumulating an impressive 17 points. In stark contrast, the Brumbies could only muster a solitary conversion from Tane Edmed, highlighting the pivotal role of the tee in deciding the outcome.
Despite enjoying superior possession and territory throughout the match, the Brumbies were ultimately outmuscled in the physical exchanges. The Fijian Drua showcased their renowned power game, dominating collisions with a staggering 123 metres gained post-contact, more than double the Brumbies’ 60 metres.
Brumbies captain Andy Muirhead expressed his frustration post-match, lamenting his team’s inability to convert their territorial advantage into points. “We dominated the possession and territory in the first half, and we just didn’t capitalise,” Muirhead stated. “From our mistakes and inviting them into our half through discipline, and then they obviously went to the half with a lead (20-12). Then they got into a bit of Fiji rugby and we weren’t clinical enough to close out opportunities either.”
Brumbies’ Try Scorers and Drua’s Match-Winners
For the Brumbies, rising lock Toby Macpherson proved a handful for the Drua defence, crossing the try line twice. He was supported by tries from Hudson Creighton, Ryan Lonergan, and a captain’s effort from Muirhead himself.
However, it was the Fijian Drua who delivered a more potent attacking performance. Fullback Ilaisa Droasese was a standout, bagging a classy brace of tries. He was joined on the scoresheet by Etonia Waqa, Elia Canakaivata, and a memorable debut try for hooker Sairusi Ravudi, completing the Drua’s historic tally.
Muirhead acknowledged the need for introspection following the loss. “We’ve got to get to a review and see what what didn’t work for us,” he commented. “We know that our game is good enough to win when we execute on our game plan and there’s some areas today that are a little bit off. Short turnaround to a really tough game against the Chiefs, so we’ve got to have a goldfish memory about this one.”
Valetini’s Milestone Match Overshadowed
The defeat leaves the Brumbies with a 3-2 record and sees them slip to second place in the Super Rugby Pacific standings, trailing the Hurricanes. The loss also cast a shadow over the milestone 100th game for star flanker Rob Valetini, who was playing in front of his family and friends in his ancestral homeland.
Valetini, who possesses Fijian heritage, had expressed his desire to make his 100th appearance a special occasion. “I wanted to make it special, to have my 100 here, in front of my family and friends,” Valetini said. “It was just awesome to come here and play. My family’s made a lot of sacrifices for me. It was always a dream to play one game, so to notch up 100 is very special, and to do it in Fiji – I never thought that could happen.”
He was deeply impressed by the unique and passionate atmosphere generated by the Fijian crowd. “I haven’t experienced it yet and that was one of a kind,” Valetini remarked. “The crowd was loud but unfortunately we gave them a head start at the start there and we weren’t able to come back.”
The Fijian Drua’s historic victory not only signifies a significant step forward for the club but also serves as a powerful statement of intent in what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested Super Rugby Pacific season. The Brumbies, meanwhile, will be looking to regroup quickly as they prepare for a challenging encounter against the Chiefs.
https://x.com/StanSportRugby/status/2032694648347701622?s=20
https://omny.fm/shows/rugby-world-cup-inside-line/the-lingering-lomax-question-selection-surprises-and-an-absent-wallaroos-star/embed?style=Cover&media=Audio&size=Wide
https://x.com/StanSportRugby/status/2032692796478705852?s=20
https://x.com/StanSportRugby/status/2032685392739316023?s=20
https://x.com/StanSportRugby/status/2032670364476780931?s=20
