The ACT Brumbies were left to rue missed opportunities after a 42-22 defeat to the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua at the Four R Govind Stadium in Ba yesterday, with head coach Stephen Larkham conceding the home side deserved the win. Larkham singled out the Drua’s energy and execution as decisive, while acknowledging his team failed to make the most of chances — even when the visitors were reduced to 14 men twice in the first half.
The Drua’s 42-22 victory marked a commanding performance on Fijian soil, but it was far from a one-sided affair at key moments. Larkham said the Brumbies had “almost every opportunity” to add points and edge in front, pointing to two yellow cards shown to the Drua in the opening period as moments his side could have exploited. Those chances, he said, were not taken, and the momentum swung in favour of the hosts.
Weather and the playing conditions were also factors Larkham raised as contributors to his team’s below-par showing. Despite the disruption, he paid tribute to the Drua’s performance. “Congratulations to the Drua, they gave their all and earned the win,” Larkham said. “I think we didn’t make use of all our opportunities, and Drua did the opposite.” He added that the crowd’s presence and enthusiasm made the match a special occasion for both teams.
The atmosphere at Four R Govind Stadium was a talking point after the game. Larkham described the noise and the vibrant support as unlike anything his squad had experienced, with fans packed into the stands and some even clambering into trees just outside the ground to catch a glimpse of the action. That passionate backing appeared to lift the Drua and underline the intensity of playing in Fiji.
Looking ahead, Larkham said the Brumbies would return home and “go back to the drawing board” to address the errors and missed scoring chances that cost them. While disappointed by the result, his public praise underlined the Drua’s rising stature in the Shop N Save Super Rugby competition and highlighted how home advantage, discipline lapses and execution combined to produce a memorable night for the Fijian side.
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