The McDonald’s Fiji Drua Women produced another commanding performance to defeat the Queensland Reds Women 31-5 at Churchill Park in Lautoka this afternoon, securing their place in next week's Super Rugby Women's final.
Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, the Drua Women overcame an early error from the kick-off to gradually stamp their authority on the semi-final, combining powerful forward play with clinical finishing to outscore the visitors by five tries to one.
The opening exchanges saw both sides contest territory fiercely.
The Drua threatened inside the Reds' 22 in the seventh minute but turned possession over, while the visitors were handed an attacking opportunity after a Drua penalty a minute later.
Despite the early setbacks, the home side struck first in the 10th minute when flanker Salaseini Railumu crossed for the opening try.
Playing in just her seventh match for the Drua, Railumu collected her second try of the season, with Vitalina Qoro adding the conversion to give the hosts a 7-0 lead.
The Reds responded with sustained pressure deep inside Drua territory and eventually broke through in the 19th minute.
Charlie Brigstock finished off a patient attacking build-up to score her maiden try for the Reds, narrowing the margin to 7-5 after the conversion was missed.
Following the first cooling break, the Drua regained control through their dominant pack.
Prop Karalini Naisewa powered over in the 23rd minute for the hosts' second try before winger Atelaite Buna finished an impressive attacking movement four minutes later to stretch the lead to 19-5.
Although the Drua continued to create opportunities before half-time, handling errors denied them further points.
The Reds attempted to capitalise late in the opening period, and Drua centre Nunia Daunimoala was shown a yellow card in the 38th minute.
However, the home side's defence held firm to take a 19-5 advantage into the interval despite being reduced to 14 players.
The Drua resumed the second half with the same attacking intent.
They came within metres of another score immediately after the restart before relentless pressure finally paid off in the 49th minute.
Halfback Kolora Lomani caught the Reds defence off guard with a clever dummy before darting through to score the Drua's fourth try, extending the advantage to 24-5.
The visitors struggled to gain a foothold as the Drua controlled possession and territory.
Although Qoro sliced through the defensive line in the 56th minute, she was unable to retain possession before reaching the try line.
Lomani completed a superb individual performance in the 63rd minute, racing around the base of a ruck before beating two defenders with another trademark dummy to score her second try of the afternoon.
Qoro's successful conversion pushed the score out to 31-5.
Former Drua captain Bitila Tawake entered the contest shortly afterwards as the hosts comfortably managed the closing stages.
The Reds mounted one final attacking opportunity in the 67th minute with a driving maul that travelled 20 metres, but outstanding goal-line defence from the Drua fullback prevented the visitors from adding to their tally.
The comprehensive victory sends the Fijian Drua Women into next week's Super Rugby Women's final where they will have the opportunity to compete for another championship in front of their home supporters.
The Fiji Drua will play whoever will come out victorious in the second semi-final between NSW Waratahs and Western Force at 6pm.
Live update:
1st: minute Drua kick-off and Drua lose the ball in the first minute of the game.
2nd: minute Drua keep possession and show intent with the ball in hand and attacking the Reds' line.
4th: minute Reds attack the Drua line and lose the ball after multiple phases, scrum to the Drua.
7th: minute Drua attack from Reds' 22 line and they lose the ball and give possession back to the Reds.
8th: minute Drua giving away another penalty and giving the Reds another attacking chance.
10th :minute Drua scores their first try to flanker Salaseini Railumu, playing in her 7th game and scoring her second try while Qoro converts, Drua leads 7-0.
15th minute Drua attacking the Reds line again and both teams fighting for territory.
18th minute Reds attacking the Drua line and hoping to score a try.
19th minute Reds scored after a build up pressure on the Drua defence and Charlie Brigstock scores her first try reducing their deficit 7-5.
20th minute first cooling break of the game
23rd minute Karalini Naisewa the Drua prop scores their second try to extend their lead 14-5.
27th minute Atelaite Buna, the Drua winger, finishes a prolific try and extends the Druas' points 19-5.
31st minute Drua has the momentum going forward but lose the ball while attacking the Reds line.
33rd minute Reds attacking the Drua line as they try and score a try to reduce the deficit.
38th minute Reds have the ball and attack the Drua line, and a yellow card is issued to Nunmia Daunimoala two minutes from half-time.
40th minute Drua, with the numerical disadvantage, leads the Reds 19-5.
41st minute Reds kick off, and Drua attacks the Reds line and almost scores a try, losing the ball at the Reds 5 metre line.
44th minute Drua is building pressure, and they need to be patient with the ball, unfortunately losing the ball during contact.
48th minute Reds finally out of the woods, kicking the ball to Druas 22 metre line.
49th minute Kolora Lomani threw a dummy and scored Druas third try to increase their points 24-5.
50th minute Drua maintains intensity in the second half and wining the battle.
53rd minute Reds attacking the Drua defensive line and maintaing their phases untill they lose the ball forward, Drua ball.
56th minute Qoro breaks the Reds line and loses the ball while making the break scrum to Reds.
61st minute Drua camping in Reds territory and a scrum awarded to the Reds.
63rd minute Kolora Lomani speeds around the ruck, throws a dummy and steps two defenders to score her second try and extend the Drua lead 31-5.
65th minute former captain Bitila Tawake is on the field.
67th minute, the Reds do a rolling maul for 20 metres and cross the Drua line only to give Drua Fullback the chance to hold the ball on the line.
71st minute Drua feeds in a scrum and attacks the Reds line and Tawake gives away a penalty.
75th minute Drua maintain territory and ball and wins another scrum and winding the clock down.
80th minute Drua given a scrum and takes the ball out Drua wins 31-5
