The McDonald’s Fiji Drua Women fought back from multiple setbacks to secure a hard-fought 27-all draw against the Waratahs Women in their Super Rugby Women’s trial match at the HFC Bank Stadium this afternoon.
The Drua were reduced to 13 players early in the match after debutant Karavaki Lutumaibau and Karalaini Naisewa were both yellow-carded.
The Waratahs capitalised on the numerical advantage, scoring the opening try in the 11th minute, although the conversion attempt was unsuccessful, to lead 5-0.
The Drua responded strongly through Josivini Naihamu, who crossed over in the 16th minute to level the scores at 5-all after the conversion was missed.
The visitors then regained the lead with another unconverted try to make it 10-5 before Michellae Stolz powered over for the Drua.
Litiana Vueti added the extras as the home side moved ahead 12-10.
The lead changed hands again when the Waratahs scored another converted try to sneak ahead 17-12.
However, the Drua answered almost immediately with Kolora Lomani scoring in the 26th minute. The successful conversion gave the Drua a 19-17 advantage heading into the latter stages of the first half.
The home side suffered a major setback in the 33rd minute when fly-half Imeri Nai was forced off the field with a neck injury.
Nai was later taken to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital for scans, with further updates on her condition still pending.
The Drua held onto their narrow lead to head into halftime, in front 19-17.
The Waratahs regained momentum in the second half with another try to move ahead 24-19 before the Drua struck back with another five-pointer to level the match at 24-all.
A successful penalty kick then saw the Waratahs edge ahead 27-24, but the Drua responded with a crucial three-pointer to even the scores once again.
