The Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua has successfully defended their Super W title after beating the Queensland Reds 38-30 in their Super W grand final clash tonight.
After a not-so-good run in the competition this year, the Fijiana Drua has created a remarkable comeback as they turned the tables on the Reds.
The Reds started off the game strongly with a converted try to take an early 7-0 lead.
The Drua bounced back to score two converted tries before the Reds converted a penalty as the teams headed into halftime with a 14-10 lead.
The Reds started the second spell strongly with a converted try before the Drua came back with 4 converted tries and a penalty goal kick from Fullback Luisa Tisolo for a 21 points lead.
The Reds scored two more tries and a penalty goal later in the second quarter of the second spell.
The Fijiana Drua finished the game with 13 players after captain Bitila Tawake and winger Laisani Moceisawana was yellow carded within the last 10 minutes of the game.
Match Report
77': Vani Arei joins her captain in the bin
75': Bitala Tawake is yellow carded for one too many penalties
72': Smith adds three more to reduce the margin to inside two converted tries Drua 38-25
64': The Reds get themselves in the contest through Tiarna Molloy Drua 38-22
59': Karalaini Naisewa sprints away to extend the advantage Drua 38-17
55': A barnstorming run from Siteri Rasolea puts the Drua on the attack, with Lusia Basei adding three more Drua 31-17
51': Adita Milinia finishes off a great team try for the Drua to extend the lead Drua 28-17
49': The Drua respond instantly as Serima Leweniqila finds herself in the right place to dive over Drua 21-17
44': The Reds strike down the short-side as Ivania Wong finds Renae Nona for the try Reds 17-14
HALF TIME: FIJIAN DRUA 14 - 10 REDS
40': Carys Dallinger goes for the long-range penalty but it falls short.
36': Smith adds three points for the Reds 10 - 14.
34': Cecilia Smith finds a gap and sprints through, only for the final pass to let the Reds down
28': The hosts continue to build pressure, unable to break the Fijian's line.
24': Reds pushing the pace but the Drua stay strong in defence for the turnover.
16': The defending champions continue to hurt the Reds on the counter as Merewai Cumu breaks the line from her own in-goal to flip the field.
13': The Drua turn it on the counter and Mereoni Nakesa sprints away under the posts Drua 14-7.
8': Bitila Tawake responds for the Drua from close in a frantic start 7-all
4': Alana Elisaia blitzes through the line and goes herself for the opener Reds 7-0
2': Drua build early pressure but the Reds force the mistake just on the 22
The Drua comes in as the defending champions after last year's historic win during Super Round in 2022.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
