Drua's Fijian fortress falls as Waratahs make playoff push

The NSW Waratahs have kept their Super Rugby Pacific finals hopes alive by beating the Fijian Drua 50-35 in Suva.

NSW coach Dan McKellar made a plethora of changes for Saturday’s clash at HFC Bank Stadium, but was dealt a late blow when Wallabies utility back Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was ruled out with hamstring tightness weeks after returning from a two-month-long hamstring injury.

McKellar reaped the rewards of his team transformation, though, as the Waratahs shot out to a 29-point halftime lead before the Drua stepped up in the second half to salvage the blowout.

The win is precious for the Sydney-based team, having lost seven of their past nine encounters and their hopes of reaching the post-season fading fast.

Victory leapfrogs NSW into seventh, one point adrift of the sixth-placed Queensland Reds with two rounds remaining.

Halfback Teddy Wilson was busy registering 56 passes, 45 metres gained and a try, while hooker Ioane Moananu crashed over twice to help the Tahs end their dismal 15-game losing streak outside of Australia.

Fresh off a bye, the Drua needed a win to keep their finals hopes intact, but leaky defence, along with a sea of turnovers, cruelled their chances.

The loss also soured coach Glen Jackson’s Fijian sendoff as the clash was his final home game after mutually deciding not to exercise the third-year option in his contract.

The Waratahs crossed first when Harry Potter got on the receiving end of a sneaky pass from Moananu, before Moananu scored his own five-pointer when he capitalised on a rolling maul.

After a busy start, Max Jorgensen was rewarded when he pounced on a Jack Bowen grubber in the 18th minute, but the Drua responded through Mesake Doge.

Wilson, Sid Harvey and Angus Scott-Young piled further misery on the home team, each scoring a try as the Waratahs opened up a 36-7 lead at the break.

Moananu continued NSW’s momentum when he wrestled over in the 44th minute, but despite losing Emosi Tuqiri to injury lock Elia Canakaivata and flanker Kitione Salawa crossed to close the deficit.

Fijian Apolosi Ranawai notched a five-pointer to bring up the visitors’ half-century before Tuidraki Samusamuvodr and Temo Mayanavanua scored consolation tries for the hosts.