Replacement outside back Kemu Valetini kicked a golden point drop-goal to seal a 39-36 historic Super Rugby Pacific victory over the Waratahs in Lautoka today.
The match had to be decided by an extra golden point period of ten minutes after the visitors came from behind to tie it up 36-36 in regulation time.
In the match proper, the Waratahs opened the scoring with Charlie Gamble diving over in the corner off a set lineout play, giving them an early lead after Tane Edmed successfully converted from the sideline.
Edmed then extended the lead with a penalty, putting the Waratahs up 10-0 by the 13th minute.
However, the Drua quickly responded when Iosefo Masi electrified the home crowd by slicing through the defense to score under the posts, with Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula converting to close the gap to 7-10 in the 16th minute.
The momentum continued for Drua as Frank Lomani cleverly scored from a lineout play, with Armstrong-Ravula’s conversion giving Drua the lead at 14-10 by the 21st minute.
The heat appeared to take its toll on the Waratahs as Drua halfback Lomani, expertly deceived the opposition with a dummy pass, opening up space for Masi.
Masi then dashed over half the field, fending off the last defender Max Jorgensen, to score and further extend Drua’s lead to 21-10 after a successful Armstrong-Ravula conversion.
Masi wasn’t done yet, and secured a hat-trick by slicing through the defense once more, although the conversion hit the post, leaving the score at 26-10 at halftime in favor of Drua.
The Waratahs lost winger Mark Nawaqanitawase, who was playing his 50th match this afternoon, to a yellow card just before the break.
After halftime, the Waratahs quickly narrowed the scoreline to 26-17 with a try from Charlie Gamble, thanks to a pass from Izaia Perese, and a successful conversion
The Drua responded by extending their lead to 33-17 as Ikanivere capitalized on a Waratahs handling error to score at the 51-minute mark.
Fijian Drua made strategic substitutions to keep the momentum going/
Kitione Salawa was brought on, replacing Vilive Miramira. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta took over from Meli Derenalagi, while Kemu Valetini came in for Apisalome Vota in a crucial swap and Peni Matawalu replaced Frank Lomani.
The bench saw more activity as Zuriel Togiatama replaced Tevita Ikanivere, Epeli Momo came in for Taniela Rakuro, and Emosi Tuqiri substituted Haereiti Hetet, indicating a tactical approach to keep the momentum in Drua’s favor.
The intensity continued as Joey Walton scored for the Waratahs, reducing the deficit to 33-24 after a first-phase play involving a lineout and a pass from hooker Mahe Vailanu at the 58-minute.
Vailanu then scored his second try from a driving maul, making it 36-29, but the conversion missed.
Lachie Swinton’s try at the 65-minute mark, after Drua halfback Peni Matawalu received a yellow card, brought the Waratahs level to 36-36, setting the stage for extra-time.
Drua’s Valetini kicked a decisive drop goal as the Mick Byrne coached side ended its 4-match win-less streak against the Waratahs and recorded its second win of the 2024 season.
VV
