Drua goes down fighting 43-20 against the Highlanders

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua went down fighting 43-20 against the Highlanders in round 9 of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific.

The Highlanders started strong, scoring three unanswered tries in the first half.

25-year-old Taniela Filiome, who is making his debut for the Highlanders, scored two tries, and Thomas Umaga-Jensen scored in the dying minutes of the first half to give the host side a 17-3 lead at halftime.

The Drua’s first points came from the boot of Isaiah Armstrong Ravula.

The Drua came back firing in the second half, with Isikeli Rabitu scoring their first try to close the gap to 8-17, but the Highlanders responded with a try to Veveni Lasaqa to put the host side ahead.

The Drua bounced back through some beautiful play from the backline, sending nippy halfback Simione Kuruvoli over the try line to close the gap to a 9-point game.

Ponipate Loganimasi showed great skills with the ball in hand as he went over for the Drua’s third try in the 51st minute of the match.

The Drua kept the pressure on the Highlanders as they sought to score another try, but the passes did not connect, and the Highlanders capitalised on the Drua’s mistakes.

Kuruvoli got a yellow card for an infringement, and this gave the Highlanders another chance to add more wounds to the Drua.

The Highlanders managed to score another three tries from Jack Taylor, Tanielu Tele'a and Sam Gilbert to keep their campaign alive.

The Drua will return to the drawing board to prepare to host the Waratahs at Lautoka’s Churchill Park next Saturday, while the Highlanders will travel to Waikato to face the Chiefs.

Meanwhile, the Blues thumped Moana Pasifika 36-17.

The Reds will take on the Brumbies at 9.35 tonight.

Drua vs Highlanders Updates

Kick-off: Highlanders

1' Try to Highlanders.

Taniela Filimone. DRU 0-5 HIGH

4' Drua loses the ball in the lineout. Missed chances for points. DRU 0-5 HIGH

8' Lineout set up on the 10. To the tail, but the maul attempt has fallen straight to ground. Popped infield for a carry before it's flicked back shortside.

Kuruvoli slows things down on the floor before putting it high onto Nareki.

He flicks it quickly infield for the kick, but that's gone very sideways... And lands in touch.

DRU 0-5 HIGH

12' Try to Highlanders. Taniela Filimone. DRU 0-12 HIGH

17' Isaiah save Drua as he gets back to stop Folau Fakatava scoring a try.

Drua escapes from their 22m and gets a lineout inside the Highlanders territory. DRU 0-12 HIGH

21' Highlanders gets a penalty inside the Drua's 10m.

They take a lineout and go for a try. DRU 0-12 HIGH

27' Drua's defence stand strong as Highlanders try to hunt for their 3rd try. DRU 0-12 HIGH

33' Great run from the Drua but Tamani drops the ball inside the Highlanders 22m. Highlanders get a scrum. DRU 0-12 HIGH

36' Drua gets a penalty inside the Highlanders 10m, Isaiah converts a penalty. DRU 3-12 HIGH

HT: DRU 3-17 HIGH

Second half: DRU 3-17 HIGH

Kick-off: Drua

40' Try to Drua. Isikeli Rabitu. DRU 8-17 HIGH

44' Try to Highlanders. Veveni Lasaqa. DRU 8-24 HIGH

47' Try to Drua. Simione Kuruvoli. DRU 15-24 HIGH

51' Try to Drua. Ponipate Loganimasi. DRU 20-24 HIGH

55' Drua gets a penalty inside the Highlanders 10m line. They go for a lineout. DRU 20-24 HIGH

58' Simione Kuruvoli gets a yellow card. DRU 20-24 HIGH

59' Try to Highlanders. Jack Taylor. DRU 20-29 HIGH

64' Drua gets a lineout inside the Highlanders territory. Chance to get another try. DRU 20-29 HIGH

72' Highlanders escapes from their territory. DRU 20-29 HIGH

74' Try to Highlanders. DRU 20-36 HIGH

80' Try to Highlanders. Sam Gilbert. DRU 20-43 HIGH

FT: DRU 20-43 HIGH