Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss lauded his side’s “unbelievable” defence after they shut out the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua’s try-scoring threat in a 21-6 win in Lautoka on the weekend — a result Kiss hopes will sustain the Reds’ momentum in Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific. The Australians crossed for three tries to secure the victory and, Kiss said, approached the match with huge respect for the Drua’s physical style.
Kiss singled out the defensive effort as the match’s defining feature, saying keeping the Drua try-less on home soil was “an unbelievable effort by the boys.” The coach credited the forwards and backline for their commitment at the breakdown and in line speed, which repeatedly halted the Drua’s attacking platforms and forced the hosts into a penalty-reliant scoring pattern.
The result was notable for the Drua as well: it was the first time the franchise failed to register a try at home since joining the competition in 2022. That statistic underlines the significance of the Reds’ defensive performance in Lautoka, where home advantage has traditionally been a major boost for the Fiji-based side.
For the Drua, the loss represented a setback after recent high-profile victories over the Hurricanes and the ACT Brumbies, and it stands as their third defeat of the current campaign. Despite running into a red-hot defensive display from the Reds, the Fijian side will look to regroup quickly as they prepare for a tough assignment in New Zealand.
The Drua head next to Auckland, where they face the Blues on Friday at 6:05pm — a fixture to be shown live on FBC Sports. The upcoming match offers a quick chance for the Drua to return to the form that produced those earlier wins over established New Zealand opposition.
Kiss, while pleased with the result, emphasised the need for consistency as the Super Rugby Pacific season intensifies. He urged his squad to replicate the intensity and defensive cohesion shown in Lautoka if the Reds are to maintain momentum in the competition.
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