Golden-point magic from Drua claims first-ever win over Waratahs
The Fijian Drua have broken NSW Waratahs hearts with a pulsating 39-36 Super Rugby Pacific win in tropical Lautoka.
Kemu Valetini snapped a field goal seven minutes into golden-point extra time to snatch victory after the Waratahs seemed poised to avenge two deflating two-point home defeats to the Highlanders and Blues.
The Tahs overcame extreme heat and a 16-point second-half deficit on Saturday to set up the tense period of extra time in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees at Churchill Park.
The sapping conditions prompted officials to apply two water breaks in addition to the halftime break.
So when the Drua lost replacement halfback Peni Matawalu to the sin bin for a brain explosion at the ruck early in golden point, the Waratahs enjoyed a significant one-man advantage.
Alas, five-eighth Tane Edmed missed with a drop-goal attempt of his own before Valetini sealed a famous first-time victory for the Drua over the Waratahs.
The Pacific Islanders had lost all four previous meetings with NSW.
But, as evident by their round-two ambush of the defending champion Crusaders, Churchill Park – known as the Drua’s “16th man” – is proving a fortress for visiting teams.
The visitors had made a flying start to lead 10-0 inside the opening 10 minutes.
Flanker Charlie Gamble put hooker Mahe Vailanu over in the fourth minute from a Waratahs lineout win before Edmed converted from the sideline and slotted a penalty goal shortly after.
But just as the Tahs threatened to pull off another runaway win over the Drua, like in their previous four encounters, the inspired home side produced a four-try blitz in the space of 20 minutes to seize control.
Olympic sevens gold medallist Iosefo Masi was at the centre of the fightback.
First he bamboozled World Cup trio Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Max Jorgensen to score under the posts.
Then, either side of the softest of tries from Drua halfback Frank Lomani from a lineout, Masi collected his second and third five-pointers.
He out-paced the NSW defence for his second and snuck through a hole close to the line for his third as the Drua stormed to a 26-10 halftime lead.
Perese and centre partner Joey Walton combined well to put Gamble over shortly after the break to ignite the Waratahs comeback.
Tevita Ikanivere replied with the Drua’s fifth try before Walton scored to again reduce the deficit to nine points.
With the hosts down to 14 men after replacement forward Kitione Salawa was yellow carded, the Tahs pulled to within a converted try when Vailanu bagged his second five-pointer.
It was all level at 36-36 when Lachie Swinton crashed over with 15 minutes remaining.
But Valetini’s late intervention consigned Darren Coleman’s side to their most crushing defeat yet this campaign of frustrating near misses.
Nawaqanitawase’s milestone 50th game for the Tahs was a largely forgettable one.
Playing in front of his Fijian father’s family, the classy winger spent 10 minutes in the sin bin for a deliberate knockdown to prevent a Drua try in the shadows of halftime and was offered few chances to showcase his silky attacking game.
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder.
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments