In an exciting opening round of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific, the Brumbies claimed a thrilling 36-32 victory over the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, effectively spoiling the Drua’s home celebration. Brumbies flanker Luke Reimer emerged as the star of the match, scoring two crucial late tries that secured the win for his team.
Despite the loss, the Drua had memorable moments, especially for debutants Ponipate Loganimasi and Vuate Karawalevu, who both contributed to the scoreline. Karawalevu showcased his skills by diving over for two tries, making his debut even more special in front of a home crowd.
The match kicked off with the Brumbies seizing an early advantage after capitalizing on a mistake from the Drua. Billy Polard snuck through for a try, and Noah Lolesio added the conversion, putting the Brumbies up 7-0. The Drua responded with a determined effort, orchestrated by co-captain Tevita Ikavere, leading to their first try from Simione Kuruvoli, leveling the score at 7-all.
Following two yellow cards against the Drua, the Brumbies extended their lead with further tries from Ollie Sapsford and Ryan Lonergan, bringing the score to 17-7. However, the Drua fought back, as Caleb Muntz’s penalties narrowed the gap to 13-17 before halftime. The home side then took the lead into the break, 20-17, after Loganimasi scored off a quick ball movement, marking a successful debut.
The second half began with the Brumbies quickly reclaiming momentum, as replacement Rhys Van Nek powered through for a try. However, the Drua responded swiftly with a well-executed play, leading to Karawalevu’s first Super Rugby try, and soon after, he scored again, putting the Drua ahead 32-24 with just under 20 minutes remaining.
With the pressure mounting, Reimer stepped up for the Brumbies, scoring twice in quick succession to swing the match in their favor. His late contributions proved decisive, ensuring a hard-fought win amidst challenging, rainy conditions.
This match not only highlights the resilience of the Brumbies but also shows promise for the Drua as they continue to develop their squad with young talent. As the season progresses, both teams will aim to build on their performances and improve their standings in the tournament. The thrilling nature of this encounter points to an exciting competitive season ahead in the Super Rugby Pacific.
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