The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua delivered an inspiring second-half comeback to secure a 25-20 victory over the Hurricanes in an exhilarating Super Rugby Pacific match held in Lautoka. This victory marks the Drua’s first win of the 2026 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season, and it comes on the heels of a solid performance by the Hurricanes, who previously defeated Moana Pasifika.
The Hurricanes entered halftime with a narrow 17-13 lead following a physically challenging opening half. The Drua opened the scoring with a penalty from Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, but the Hurricanes soon struck back with tries from Fehi Fineanganofo and Peter Lakai, the latter scoring after a dominant team effort. Motikiai Murray then equalized for the Drua, but a penalty after the restart allowed Jordie Barrett to set up a try for Billy Proctor, pushing the Hurricanes ahead again. Luckily for the Drua, a late penalty from Armstrong-Ravula kept them within striking distance going into the second half.
Fiji began the second half with determination, although early mistakes disrupted their momentum. Barrett extended the Hurricanes’ lead with a long-range penalty, putting the score at 20-13. However, the tide turned when Tuidraki Samusamuvodre intercepted a loose pass, scoring an impressive try and leveling the match at 20-20 with Armstrong-Ravula’s successful conversion.
The game evolved into a tactical contest as both teams battled for territory in the rain, exchanging kicks and facing handling challenges. The decisive moment arrived in the 67th minute when the Drua capitalized on a turnover. Quick passing led to a brilliant offload from Ravai to Etonia Waqa, who sprinted down the left touchline to score, putting the Drua ahead at 25-20. The conversion attempt missed, setting up a tense finish.
In the final minutes, the Hurricanes applied pressure, gaining ground and earning penalties in the Drua’s territory. However, the Drua’s defense proved resilient, weathering the onslaught. A crucial late scrum consumed precious time, and despite a final effort from the Hurricanes after the siren, they could not convert their opportunity.
With a passionate home crowd cheering them on, the Drua showcased their determination and strength, turning a halftime deficit into a memorable victory. The team will enjoy a bye next week before preparing to host the Brumbies in Ba in two weeks. This win not only boosts the Drua’s confidence but also highlights their potential to compete effectively in the season ahead.
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