The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua celebrated a thrilling 25-20 victory over the Hurricanes at Churchill Park in Lautoka yesterday, marking a much-needed turnaround after consecutive losses in their prior matches. Competing in rainy conditions and facing the pressure of their previous performances, the Drua were determined to defend their home turf against the Wellington team, who had recently fallen to Moana Pasifika.
The match began with the Hurricanes displaying strong offensive skills, but it was Drua’s Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula who opened the scoring with a penalty kick five minutes into the game. The Hurricanes responded in the 11th minute with a try from Finea Fineanganofo, complemented by a conversion from captain Jordie Barrett.
The Drua quickly regrouped, with Armstrong-Ravula adding another penalty kick shortly after. Motikiai Murray then secured a try for the home team in the 29th minute, followed by another successful kick from Armstrong-Ravula. Despite Billy Proctor’s attempt to increase the Hurricanes’ score, Armstrong-Ravula countered with another penalty before halftime, leaving the score at 17-13 in favor of the Hurricanes.
In the second half, the Hurricanes managed to extend their lead with another penalty kick, but the tide turned when Tuidraki Samusamuvodre intercepted a pass and scored his second-ever try in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific. This moment energized the Drua and allowed them to dominate possession for much of the remaining time, eventually tying the game at 20-all.
With the momentum shifting, the Drua finally broke their winless streak in the 2026 season when Etonia Waqa scored a crucial try in the 66th minute, bringing the score to 25-20. The jubilant atmosphere at Churchill Park was palpable as fans from both teams engaged passionately in the match, highlighting the community spirit fostered by rugby.
As the game approached its conclusion, Drua half-back Issak Fines-Leleiwasa maintained possession, guiding the team to a well-deserved victory against the odds. This win not only highlighted the Drua’s resilience but also provided a beacon of hope for the future of the team as they look to build on this positive momentum moving forward.
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