Reds make history with dominant bonus-point win over Drua in Fiji

The Queensland Reds have shut out the Drua to emphatically end their Fiji drought and push into the Super Rugby Pacific top three.

The visitors kept the Drua try-less in Saturday’s bonus point 21-6 win in Lautoka, securing their first win in four visits and a fourth-straight victory for the first time in four years.

The Reds’ (4-1) defence snuffed out a Fijian (2-3) attack that uncharacteristically battled for fluency as they chased three-straight wins for the first time in their history.

The Reds’ rampaging Fijian duo Filipo Daugunu and Seru Uru were fantastic on both sides of the ball as the usually buoyant home crowd were silenced.

Captain Harry Wilson, standing in for the rested Fraser McReight, set the tone with some good reads in defence and bullocking runs while No.10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips scored a try and controlled proceedings with in-form flyhalf Carter Gordon also left at home.

Kalani Thomas also impressed in his first start at No.9 this season, creating and scoring the first try with a clever chip kick and smart support play.

It was the Reds who handled the hot and slippery conditions best, Drua fullback Ilaisa Droasese coughing up a simple pass with the tryline wide open to end the half.

That would have put the hosts ahead and it remained their best chance to score as the visitors continued to force errors in the second half.

Jock Campbell was yellow-carded in his 100th game for slowing down the play, but the Reds held firm while down to 14 men and then moved further ahead once he returned.

Uru and Wilson combined with a one-two charge to get the Reds rolling before McLaughlin-Phillips stepped two Drua defenders in the ruck to scoot over.

Substitute hooker Richie Asiata then sealed the contest and secured the bonus point with a rolling maul try in the 63rd minute.

The Reds, having also rested Test prop Zane Nonggorr, now travel to Wellington to face the first-placed Hurricanes (4-1), who beat the Highlanders 50-7 on Friday.

“It’s awesome to get our first win here; it’s a tough place to play … we really wanted to put a shift in for Jock,” Wilson said.

“It was our defensive shift. We’re really proud of that performance.

“Four on the trot now after losing round one. The most in-form team in the comp is the Hurricanes so to get them at home next is exciting.”