Fijian Drua playoffs-bound once again thanks to Reds blowout

Varanisese Qoro has steered Fijiana Drua to a fifth consecutive Super Rugby Women’s finals berth by thumping cellar dwellers Queensland 50-17.

Knowing that a win at Ballymore Stadium on Saturday would seal a top-four finish, the Drua charged out of the blocks and never looked back.

Flyhalf Qoro was at the centre of it, scoring a try, assisting two more and flexing her blistering speed to move the Drua 11 points clear of the fifth-placed Reds (two) with one round remaining.

Victory also boosts their hopes of claiming a first minor premiership since 2022, although the second-placed defending premiers NSW (eight) are hot on their heels and have two games in hand.

“We knew they were a physical team, and leading into this week, our first focus was our first 20 minutes,” Drua captain Kolora Lomani told Stan Sport.

“We knew that the Reds were going to bring it to us, but big up to the girls for holding up.”

Queensland are still without a win this season, and their chances of making the top four are now on life support as they must win against the Waratahs next Sunday.

However, Wallaroos star Eva Karpani produced a try of the year contender when she shook off a flurry of defenders and slammed the ball down centimetres from the sideline in the first half.

The visitors drew first blood when young gun Josivini Naihamu tore through the middle of the Reds’ defence and stormed over before Qoro capitalised on her own charge down.

Prop Tiana Robanakadavu and winger Aqela Raitubu crashed over, but a barnstorming Karpani scored to give her side a glimmer of hope.

Although on the stroke of halftime, back-rower Sulita Waisega scooped up a loose ball and crossed to extend the Drua’s advantage to 33-5 at the break.

Qoro employed some fancy footwork before handing it off to Litiana Vueti, who scored, before substitute Verenaisi Ditavutu rolled over in the 68th minute.

But the home side kept up the fight and scored the final two tries through winger Piper Flynn and interchange Mary Tuaana.