Drua loses 39-36 against Moana Pasifika

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua went down fighting 39-36 against Moana Pasifika in their Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific Super Round match tonight.

Moana Pasifika started strong with a try to Sione Malolo to give them a 5-point lead.

The Drua replied with a magnificent play from Selestino Ravutaumada, who broke through the Moana Pasifika’s defence and gave it to Elia Canakaivata to cross over the white line with his first try.

Ravutaumada was handed a yellow card, and Moana Pasifika capitalised on the Drua’s mistake.

Lotu Inisi scored a try as the halftime hooter was sounded, giving them a 15-8 lead at the break.

Henry Taefu increased Moana's lead with a try just a minute into the second half, and then Sam Moli’s try further pushed them away from the Drua.

With 20 minutes left to play, the Drua managed to get their rhythm back with Canakaivata crossing over for his second try.

A great play from the Drua players enabled Epeli Momo to cross over the try line and reduce the gap to 27-39.

Junior Ratuva scored his first try for the Drua in the 74th minute, closing the gap to 36-39 game.

The Drua gave their all in the final 3 minutes of the match, but Moana Pasifika's defence stood tall at the end.

In other matches, the Blues beat the Highlanders 37-29, and the Rebels defeated the Force 48-37.

MATCH REPORT:

74th min: Junior Ratuva scores for the Drua. Conversion successful. Drua 36- 39 Moana.

70th min: Epeli Momo scores for the Drua. Drua 27-39 Moa. Conversion was successful. Drua 29-39 Moana

64th min: Christian Leali'ifano converts penalty. Drua 22 – 39 Moana

60th min: Try to Drua, Canakaivata, Drua 22-36 Moana

58th min: Try to Moana Pasfika, Abraham Pole. Conversion was successful. Drua 15-36 Moana.

55th min: Try to Moana Pasifika, Sam Moli. Conversion was successful. Drua 15-29 Moana

46th min: Ravutaumada scores for the Drua. what a wonderful play from Derenalagi and Ravutaumada. Drua 15 - 22 Moana

41st min: Try to Moana. Henry Taefu. Conversion was successful. Drua 8-22 Moana

2nd half. Moana Pasifika kick-off

40th min: Try to Moana Pasifika, Lotu Inisi, conversion. Drua 8-15 Moana

37th min: Ravutaumada gets a yellow card.

32nd min: Drua dominates the scrums. Gets a penalty and aims to get the 3 points. Ravula converts the penalty. Drua 8-8 Moana

22nd min: Drua gets penalised in their 22m line, a chance for Moana to get 3 points. Willie Havili converts penalty. Drua 5-8 Moana.

19th min: Drua holding their defense. Moana Pasifika continues on attack but held up at the try line. Another chance for them to get their second try. Drua 5-5 Moana.

15th min: Ravutaumada makes the break from the scrum, passes the ball to Canakaivata and he scores Fiji's 1st try. Waiting for conversion. Drua 5-5 Moana.

14th min: Great defense from Ravula, pushing the Moana player out of the field. Nasilasila is injured. Drua 0-5 Moana

12th min: First try to Moana Pasifika. Sione Malolo. Waiting for conversion. Conversion was unsuccessful. Drua 0-5 Moana.

10th min: Ref checking on the Drua's play. No try to the Drua. Knocked on. Play gone back to the 22-metre line.

8th min: Penalty to Moana Pasifika. A chance to get the first points in the game. Drua 0-0 Moana

4th min: Knock-on by Moana Pasifika, first scrum of the match to the Drua. Drua 0-0 Moana

3rd min: Great run and play from Moana Pasifika, testing the Drua's defense. Drua 0-0 Moana

- Drua kick-off.