The Rooster Chicken Fijian Drua women faced a challenging defeat in their Super W semifinal, marking the first time in four years that they will not advance to the finals. They fell to the Queensland Reds with a final score of 54-40 at Ballymore Stadium, despite showing resilience with a strong second half performance.
Trailing considerably at halftime with a score of 42-5, the Drua rallied after the break and scored five tries, significantly narrowing the gap. Centre Vitalina Naikore contributed one try and three conversions, while Luisa Tisolo made two conversions and Naisewa scored two tries along with contributions from Alfreda Fisher and Mereoni Nakesa. However, the team’s earlier struggles proved too much to overcome.
Captain Karalaini Naisewa expressed gratitude to the team’s supporters and sponsors, acknowledging the challenges faced throughout the season. She promised, “Come next year, we will try and do our best and give you the result that you wanted.”
This loss highlights the journey of the Fijiana Drua, emphasizing their growth as a competitive team within women’s rugby. Coach Ifereimi Rawaqa remains hopeful as he looks to build on the team’s spirit and resilience showcased in their comeback effort, which resonates with past matches where they demonstrated similar tenacity.
As the Drua women look ahead, there is optimism that the lessons learned from this season will pave the way for future successes. The competitive spirit and support from fans create a promising outlook for the evolution of women’s rugby in the Pacific, reinforcing the belief that through perseverance and teamwork, greater achievements are within reach.
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