The Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua Women showcased their fighting spirit in the Super Rugby Women’s semi-final against the Queensland Reds, but ultimately fell short with a score of 40-54. The match, held at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, started poorly for the Drua, with the Reds dominating the first half and leaving the Drua trailing 5-42 at halftime. Alfreda Fisher was responsible for the Drua’s sole try before the break.
In the second half, the team showed remarkable resilience, scoring several tries that gradually closed the gap. Mereoni Nakesa and captain Karalaini Naisewa were instrumental in this comeback, each contributing to the score with converted tries. Last-minute addition Vani Arei also made her mark by scoring a vital converted try, bringing the score closer at 40-47 before the Reds solidified their victory with another try.
Captain Naisewa expressed her gratitude post-match, praising her team for their effort and their supporters, expressing, “I would like to thank the Almighty God for giving us that 40-minute fight.” Despite the disappointment of not reaching the grand final for the first time this season, there is a sense of pride in the Drua’s performance, particularly their spirited second half.
The Drua’s resilience mirrors earlier matches where they narrowly lost to the Reds, highlighting the team’s growing competitive spirit. Coach Ifereimi Rawaqa and his players are optimistic about learning from their experiences this season. The increased visibility and support for women’s rugby, underscored by passionate fan backing, offers hope for the Drua’s future endeavors in the sport.
As the Drua Women look ahead, their performance serves as a reminder of their potential and the impact of women’s rugby in the Pacific region. Fans are encouraged by the spirit shown and remain hopeful that the team will build upon this resilience in future competitions.
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