Fijian Drua outclassed by the Crusaders 69-26

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua were outclassed by the Crusaders 69-26 in round 8 of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition.

The Crusaders were playing their final match at Apollo Projects Stadium before moving to their new home ground later this month where they will host the NSW Waratahs.

The defending champions started strongly, with Sevu Reece crossing the try line after just 3 minutes to give the Crusaders a 5-0 lead.

Leicester Fainga’anuku extended the lead to 10-0, before Codie Taylor, playing his 150th match, scored a double to put the Crusaders further ahead.

Reece added his second try in the 22nd minute as the Crusaders surged to a 31-0 lead.

The Drua responded through Elia Canakaivata, who scored their first try to get his side on the board. However, the Crusaders quickly hit back to maintain control of the match.

Canakaivata went on to score his second try as the Drua looked to fight back, but the Crusaders still held a commanding 38-12 lead at halftime.

The second half saw the Crusaders continue their dominance, adding five more tries to seal a convincing win.

The Drua will now return home to prepare for their next match against the Force at Churchill Park in Lautoka at 4.35pm next Saturday.

In other matches, the Chiefs will face the Waratahs at 6.05pm tomorrow, while the Reds will meet the Force at 8.35pm.

Drua vs Crusaders updates

1st half

Kick off: Drua

1' Early pressure from the Drua. Drua gets a scrum inside the Crusaders 22m line. DRU 0-0 CRU

3' Try to Crusaders. Nice set-piece from the defending champions, break through from Faiganuku, and the ball goes out to Sevu Reece. DRU 0-5 CRU

5' No try. TMO called a double movement. DRU 0-5 CRU 

10' Try to Drua. Leicester Fainga'anuku. DRU 0-10 CRU

14' Try to Crusaders. Codie Taylor. DRU 0-17 CRU

18' Try to Crusaders. Codie Taylor. DRU 0-24 CRU

30' Try to Drua. Jo Tamani. DRU 7-31 CRU

32' Try to Crusaders. Chay Fihaki. DRU 7-38 CRU

34' Yellow card to Johnny Lee. DRU 7-38 CRU

37' Try to Drua. Elia Canakaivata. DRU 12-38 CRU

HT: DRU 12-38 CRU

2nd Half

Kick off: Crusaders

41' Try to Crusaders. Codie Taylor. DRU 12-45

44' Try to Drua. Great handling from the Drua boys. Elia Canakaivata. DRU 19-45

47' Try to Crusaders. Codie Taylor. DRU 19-52 CRU

53' Try to Drua. Manasa Mataele. DRU 26-52 CRU

58' Try to Crusaders. Corey Kellow. DRU 26-57 CRU

60' Try to Crusaders. Chay Fihaki. DRU 26-64 CRU

72' Knock on by the Crusaders. Drua gets a scrum. DRU 26-64 CRU

80' Try to Crusaders. Seb Calder. DRU 26-69 CRU