Drua face rough seas as they go down 34-10 to Blues

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua faced some rough seas in Auckland as they went down 34-10 to the Blues in their first match of the 2024 Shop N Save Super Rugby Competition.

While the Drua had many chances to score, they just could not capitalise as they were shut down by a dominant Blues defence.

The Blues used some Fijian firepower of their own as Hoskins Sotutu bulldozed his way through to score after scooping the ball from the base of the ruck in the 10th minute to lead 5-nil.

Caleb Clarke scored the Blues second try just four minutes later to extend their lead with Stephen Perofeta converting to make it 12-0.

The Drua finally got on the scoreboard in the 30th minute after Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula booted in a penalty to take the score to 3-17.

Blues skipper Dalton Papalii also got a try in the corner to extend their lead to 22-3.

Armstrong-Ravula was shown a yellow card in the 38th minute which led to an overlap that the Blues capitalized on with Sotutu going over for his second try.

The Blues led 29-3 at half time.

Ratu Leone Rotuisolia scored the Drua’s lone try which Frank Lomani converted to keep them in reach at 10-29.

The Drua lifted their performance in the second half as they kept the Blues scoreless till the last three minutes when Zarn Sullivan crossed over.

Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Epeli Momo, and Isikeli Rabitu looked impressive in their first official outing in Drua colours.

The Drua play Moana Pasifika next week in the Super Round in Melbourne.

Drua kickoff

Rabitu brings the ball back and runs into traffic

Drua putting phases together now into their 9th phases

Drua at the 5 metre now after 21 phases

Blues scrum after Drua knock on

5" Scrum penalty to the Blues

6" Free kick to Blues after the line out

10" Hoskins Sotutu scores for the Blues.

Blues 5-0 Drua

14" After 14 phases, the Blues score through Caleb Clarke.

Stephen Perofeta converts

Blues 12-0 Drua

19" Penalty to the Blues, Drua under yellow card warning

19" Zarn Sullivan scores in the corner

Blues 17-0 Drua

22" penalty to the Drua, Armstrong-Ravula kicking for touch

24" Drua ball after Blues throw not straight at lineout

26" Second advantage to Drua

28" Blues scrum after Doge knock on

29" Drua win a scrum penalty

Drua going for the 3 points

30" Armstrong-Ravula converts

Blues 17-3 Drua

Try!!

32" Dalton Papalii touched down in the corner

Blues 22-3 Drua

34" Elia Canakaivata breaks through the Blues defence but unfortunately loses the ball in contact.

36" Drua back in the Blues 22m

Yellow Card!!

38" Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula sent to the sin bin

TRY!!

40" Hoskins Sotutu scores after Angus Taa'vao charges down a clearance from Lomani

Half-time Blues 29-3 Drua

TRY!!

Leone Rotuisolia with a try for Drua!!

Drua score with 14 men on the field

Lomani converts!!

Blues 29-10 Drua

45" Perofeta overcooks it and goes straight out from kickoff

60th min great defence from the Drua. What a game.....

62nd min: Great play from the Blues... Try to Zarn Sullivan at the corner.

70th min: great rugby from both teams. Drua gets a penalty in their 22 metre line.