The Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua Women celebrated a thrilling last-minute victory over the ACT Brumbies, achieving a 21-15 win in Round 3 of the Super W competition at Churchill Park in Lautoka. The match was intense and full of excitement, especially as both teams contended with challenging wet conditions that impacted their gameplay.
The Brumbies set the pace early on, scoring a try by Biola Dawa, which left the Drua trailing 5-0 at halftime. However, the Drua displayed remarkable resilience in the second half. Captain Vika Matarugu scored shortly after the break, giving her side a 7-5 lead. The Brumbies quickly regained the lead with a try from Siokopesi Palu, putting the scoreboard at 15-7.
The Drua faced further challenges when players Loraini Senivutu and Nunia Daunimoala received yellow cards for dangerous tackles, which temporarily left the team with only 13 players. Despite this setback, the Drua continued to fight with determination. Winger Vitalina Naikore managed to score a crucial try, narrowing the gap to 14-15.
In a thrilling conclusion, Salanieta Nabuli crossed the try line just beyond the 80-minute mark, and fly-half Luisa Tisolo successfully converted the try, sealing the 21-15 victory. This win provided a much-needed boost following a narrow loss to the Queensland Reds, where they fell short with a score of 22-19.
Head coach Ifereimi Rawaqa commended the team’s perseverance, highlighting their commitment to fight until the end despite encountering significant challenges. “We stuck in there until the last minute. There were moments of ill-discipline, but we take it,” Rawaqa noted, pointing out the need for improved ball retention moving forward.
Looking ahead, the Fijiana Drua is set to face the Western Force on March 23 at HBF Park in Perth. This victory has fostered optimism among both fans and players as the team focuses on developing and refining their strategies. The growth of women’s rugby in the Pacific region and the Drua’s tenacity reflect a promising future for the sport, inspiring countless aspiring athletes along the way.
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