The Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua Women faced a tough contest against the Queensland Reds, narrowly falling 22-19 in an exciting match during the Super W competition at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday. This match marked the Drua’s first home defeat of the season, highlighting their fierce competitiveness despite the setback.
In the initial stages of the game, the Reds took advantage of the Drua’s handling errors and quickly established a 17-0 lead. The Reds’ captain, Gemma Bedrose, kicked off the scoring with the first try, followed by Carola Kreis’s quick second try, and a penalty from Lori Gramer solidified their halftime advantage.
The momentum shifted after halftime as the Drua displayed their resilience. Loraini Senivutu scored the team’s first try in the 67th minute, closely followed by another from Karalaini Naisewa, reducing the score to 12-22. The Drua capitalized on a crucial penalty try in the closing minutes when the Reds temporarily went down to 14 players due to a deliberate knock-on. This late surge brought the score closer, but ultimately, the Reds held on for victory as the time expired.
Coach Asinate Serevi acknowledged the need for improvements, particularly in defense, but remained optimistic about the team’s prospects moving forward. The match underscored the growth of women’s rugby in the Pacific and the potential of the Fijiana Drua Women. The support from fans further illustrates the bright future of women’s rugby in the region.
Looking ahead, the Fijiana Drua Women are set to face the ACT Brumbies Women next Saturday, with the match kicking off at 3:35 PM (FJT). As they continue to adjust and enhance their strategies, there is a hopeful outlook for their journey in the tournament. Fans can take solace in witnessing the team’s evolution, reinforcing a collective belief that with determination and skill, even greater successes are on the horizon.
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