The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua has gone down to Moana Pasifika 26-40 in their first game of the season in Lautoka.
Both sides began cautiously, aware of the intense Lautoka heat, turning the early exchanges into a territorial contest.
Moana dominated possession from the outset and were rewarded in the 6th minute when their lock forward crashed over from close range to give them a 7–0 lead.
Lineout errors from the Drua handed Moana further territorial advantage.
Capitalising on sustained pressure and strong forward play, Moana scored their second try in the 10th minute to extend the lead to 14–0.
The Drua struggled to build momentum, failing to complete more than five phases in the opening 10 minutes due to repeated handling errors.
Although they found some breathing space in the 14th minute and threatened the Moana line, mistakes once again halted their progress.
Moana executed a well-worked set-piece move in the 16th minute, crossing for their third try to stretch the lead to 21–0.
The Drua responded in the 20th minute with multiple attacking raids on the Moana line but were unable to convert pressure into points.
Their persistence finally paid off in the 23rd minute when outside centre Tuidraki Samusamuvodre crossed for their first try, narrowing the score to 21–7.
Moana stuck to their territorial strategy, repeatedly kicking for touch and using their forwards to pressure the Drua defence.
In the 28th minute, Mesake Vocevoce was shown a yellow card for not rolling away.
With a numerical advantage, Moana struck again to push the lead to 28–7.
The Drua earned a lineout 10 metres from the try line in the 34th minute but errors again cost them possession.
However, they quickly regained the ball, and Kitione Salawa powered over for their second try, reducing the deficit to 28–12 at halftime.
Moana resumed the second half in dominant fashion, scoring just two minutes in to extend their lead to 33–12.
The Drua answered in the 45th minute when Iliesa Drosese finished off a sustained period of possession, bringing the score to 33–19.
The introduction of Frank Lomani added composure, and the Drua enjoyed a strong territorial spell early in the second half.
Both teams made changes around the 51st minute as the contest entered the decisive final quarter.
The Drua were denied a try in the 60th minute due to a forward pass.
Three minutes later, captain Temo Mayanavanua crossed for a skipper’s try, closing the gap to 33–26.
A brief pause followed as a player from each side received medical attention.
In the 67th minute, Moana missed a penalty attempt at goal, giving the Drua another opportunity to attack.
The Drua were later awarded a penalty but failed to capitalise, losing possession at a crucial moment.
Moana seized the opportunity, launching one final attack to score the decisive try and seal a 40–26 victory — their first bonus-point win of the season.
The Drua take on the Waratahs in Sydney at 8.35pm next Friday.
They will face the Hurricanes in Lautoka on the 28th of February.
Live Updates
Both teams are on the ground, the traditional challenges are not going to be done
Kemu Valetini kicks off
William Havili clears from their 22 metre
Moana reclaim the lineout
2" Solomon Alamailo boots it up
Moana throw in
They regather inside the 22
3" Penalty to Moana
Try to Semisi Tupou Taeiiloa. Moana 7-0 Drua
7" Ball knocked on by the Drua, Moana bring it up to Drua's 22
9" TRY to Moana Pasifika to Miracle Failagi the skipper.
Moana 14-0 Drua
11" Accidental offside so free kick to Moana
13" Canakaivata with the steal, passes it out wide to Ponipate Loganimasi. Drua get a penalty.
14" Valetini kicks long, they regather the throw in
15" 50-22 from Havili
Another try to Miracle!!
Moana 19-0 Drua
Pellegrini converts, Moana 21-0 Drua
18" Drua finally with possession, Mataele jinking his way through, on to Canakaivata but they lose the ball.
20" First water break for the game
21" Time back on, Drua to feed the scrum
22" Tuidraki Samusamuvodre with a TRY!!
26" Moana camping on the Drua 5 metre, they get a penalty, opt for a scrum.
28" Moana still with the attacking scrum on the 5 metre
30" Mesake Vocevoce yellow-carded for being offside
31" TRY to Tevita Ofa
35" Valetini runs it up to halfway, offloads to Togiatama
37" Penalty to the Drua, Valetini kicking for the corner
39 TRY to Salawa after a pass from Vakatawa
41" Last throw of the half, Moana claim it
Moana to start the second half with Pellegrini kicking off
41" Miracle Faiilagi with a hat-trick
Moana 33-12 Drua
44" Advantage to the Drua, Salawa crashes forward offloads to Canakaivata and Droasese scores in the corner
Moana 33-19 Drua
47" Lomani on the field, passes to Canakaivata
50" The two co-captains teaming up on the field, pass looked forward, ref calls a knock on
51" Penaia Cakobau making his debut from the bench at hooker
54' Scrum for the Fijian Drua
57' Advantage for the Moana Pasifika
58' Forward pass from Lomani to Rabitu
62" Loganimasi with a 50-22 from just outside his 22
TRY!! for co-captain Temo Mayanavanua
Drua 26-33 Moana
66" Droasese with the kick pass across field to Loganimasi
67" Drua penalised for tackle off the ball, Moana opt for a lineout. Ref telling them to use it.
Drua penalised, Pellegrini going for goal - missed.
70" Scrum to Drua, Lomani to feed
74" Scrum penalty to Moana, Pellegrini opting for touch
76" Drua scrum Lomani runs it, Momo loses it
TRY Ofa Tauatevalu crashes through
Drua 26-40 Moana
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
