Super Rugby Pacific: Blues thumps the Drua 36-5 at Eden Park in the third quarter final

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua’s 2024 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season has come to an end after losing 36-5 to the Blues in the third quarter final at Eden Park yesterday.

The Blues took a 22-0 lead in the first half heading into the break after scoring three tries through Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie and Caleb Clarke with flyhalf Harry Plummer adding two conversions and a penalty kick at goal.

The Drua started the second half well with an unconverted try to winger Selestino Ravutaumada, but the Blues went on to score two more converted tries through replacement hooker Kurt Eklund and Clarke for the win.

Drua captain Ratu Meli Derenalagi says they gave their all in the match but the Blues were just too good on their home ground.

Derenalagi says he was proud of how his players performed but they have taken out a lot of lessons from this match.

The Blues will now turn their focus to the semi finals next weekend.

They take on the Brumbies at 7.05pm on Friday while the Hurricanes take on the Chiefs at 4.35pm on Saturday.

Match Updates

0' Blues kick off the first half. DRU 0-0 BLU

0' Blues overcooked the kick off and kicked it straight into touch. Scrum to the Drua at the half way. DRU 0-0 BLU

1' Penalty awarded to the Blues inside their own territory. Blues opt for the lineout. DRU 0-0 BLU

3' Another penalty to the Blues inside the Drua's territory. They decide to go for the lineout. DRU 0-0 BLU

4' Drua wins a penalty inside their 22 metre line and have gone for touch. DRU 0-0 BLU

7' Penalty awarded to the Blues inside the Drua's 22 metre line. Blues kick for touch. DRU 0-0 BLU

9' Referee goes to the TMO to check for a try by the Blues. DRU 0-0 BLU

9' TRY!! TMO awards the try to Blues' flanker Dalton Papali'i. Conversion successful. DRU 0-7 BLU

15' Drua penalised inside their own 5 metre line for offside. DRU 0-7 BLU

16' Great defence from the Drua off the lineout, holding the ball up at the tryline. Goal line drop out to the Drua. DRU 0-7 BLU

18' Referee checking with TMO for a possible knock on leading up to the Blues' second try. DRU 0-7 BLU

18' TRY!! TMO confirms the try to Blues' Finlay Christie. Conversion successful. DRU 0-14 BLU

21' Blues awarded a penalty inside the Drua's 22 metre line. They opt for a kick at goal. DRU 0-14 BLU

23' Harry Plummer extends the Blues' lead with a penalty kick. DRU 0-17 BLU

29' Scrum awarded to the Drua at the halfway. DRU 0-17 BLU

30' Penalty awarded to the Blues off the scrum. DRU 0-17 BLU

33' Penalty to the Blues inside the Drua's territory, they go for touch. DRU 0-17 BLU

34' TRY!! Caleb Clarke scores the Blues' third try in the corner. Conversion unsuccessful. DRU 0-22 BLU

39' Blues knocks the ball on inside the Drua's 22 metre line. Scrum awarded to the Drua. DRU 0-22 BLU

HALFTIME: Drua 0-22 Blues

40' Drua kicks off the second half. Drua 22-0 Blues

22' TRY!!! Drua scores their first try through Selestino Ravutaumada. Conversion to come.  Drua 5-22 Blues

23' Conversion unsuccessful by Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula. Score remains. Drua 5-22 Blues.

45' Drua awarded a scrum after a knock on from the Blues. Drua 5-22 Blues

51' Penalty to Drua inside the Blues' territory. Drua opts for the lineout. DRU 5-22 BLU

51' Drua changes their mind and opts for the kick at goal. DRU 5-22 BLU

52' Ravula misses the penalty kick at goal. Score remains. DRU 5-22 BLU

56' Drua concedes a penalty inside the Blues' territory. Blues opts for the lineout. DRU 5-22 BLU

57' The Blues knocks the ball on inside the Drua's 22 metre line. Scrum to the Drua. DRU 5-22 BLU

63' TRY!! Kurt Eklund scores the Blues' fourth try. Conversion to come. DRU 5-27 BLU

64' Plummer converts the try. DRU 5-29 BLU

73' Scrum to the Drua inside the Blues' 5 metre line. DRU 5-29 BLU

77' TRY!! Another try to the blues through Caleb Clarke. Conversion successful. DRU 5-36 BLU

FULLTIME: Drua 5-36 Blues