The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua faced a heartbreaking defeat in their Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific opener against the ACT Brumbies, losing 36-32 in a thrilling match held in Suva. The Drua initially led 32-24 but ultimately faltered in the last quarter, allowing the Brumbies to seize victory.
The match was marred by the Drua’s disciplinary issues, which included two yellow cards, and a series of costly individual errors. Co-captain Tevita Ikanivere acknowledged the team’s struggle to maintain composure, especially in the crucial final moments. He noted, “We managed to hold them in the first half after two yellow cards, but we were not able to hold the Brumbies in the last 10 minutes, which was disappointing.”
Brumbies flanker Luke Reimer played a pivotal role in the comeback, passing his Head Injury Assessment test and making a notable impact in the final minutes of the match. He achieved four turnovers and scored two tries that contributed significantly to the Brumbies’ success.
After a yellow card, winger Vuate Karawalevu bounced back by scoring two tries in the second half, momentarily giving the Drua a 32-24 lead. However, a critical mistake by co-captain Frank Lomani led to a turnover, shifting momentum back to the Brumbies and costing the Drua their lead.
In the first half, the Drua struggled to find their rhythm as the Brumbies applied early pressure. The Brumbies scored first with a pushover try from hooker Billy Pollard. The Drua responded with a well-constructed play that saw Simione Kuruvoli score the equalizer, but yellow cards for Isikeli Rabitu and Vuate Karawalevu during the half shifted the game back in favor of the Brumbies, who capitalized on their numerical advantage to score multiple tries.
Despite the loss, the Drua demonstrated resilience and skill, leaving room for optimism as the season unfolds. They will need to address the issues of discipline and decision-making in their upcoming matches, and with continued effort, they can bounce back stronger.
In summary, while the Drua’s opening match did not end in victory, their performance showcased potential for growth and improvement in future games, which fans will eagerly anticipate.
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