The Fijian Drua mastered atrocious conditions to secure a gritty 25–20 victory over the Hurricanes in a rain-lashed clash in Lautoka.
With torrential rain turning the surface into a muddy quagmire, the Drua embraced the chaos from the outset, taking points whenever they were on offer. Flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula opened and closed the first half with penalties to keep the scoreboard ticking.
The Hurricanes, however, showed early ambition. Turning down a straightforward shot at goal, they tapped quickly and were rewarded when new flyhalf Callum Harkin threw a superb cut-out pass for Fehi Fineanganofo to score the opener. Peter Lakai then crossed from the back of a rolling maul as the visitors briefly took control.
The Drua hit back through flanker Motikiai Murray, who powered over in the 30th minute to level the scores. But any momentum was short-lived, a dropped kick-off handing the Hurricanes field position and allowing Billy Proctor to score, set up by centre partner Jordie Barrett, for a 17–13 halftime lead.
The visitors edged further ahead after the break, but Lautoka erupted when Tuidraki Samusamuvodre read the play perfectly, intercepting a pass from Josh Moorby and racing away to level the scores.
As the rain eased, both sides hunted a decisive blow. The Hurricanes struggled to convert repeated visits inside the Drua 22, and it was an unlikely source who finally broke the deadlock. Replacement prop Peni Ravai produced deft hands to offload for Etonia Waqa, who dived over in the corner to give the Drua a five-point cushion with 13 minutes remaining.
The Hurricanes had chances to respond, including a prime lineout opportunity six minutes from time, but fierce Drua defence forced errors at critical moments. One final roll of the dice came after a late knock-on, only for Proctor to spill the ball into touch as the siren loomed.
The win sends the Drua into the bye buoyed by belief, while the Hurricanes must regroup quickly ahead of a short turnaround and a trip to Sydney to face the NSW Waratahs.
Fijian Drua 25 (Tries: Murray, Samusamuvodre, Waqa; Cons: Armstrong-Ravula 2; Pens: Armstrong-Ravula 2) def Hurricanes 20 (Tries: Fineanganofo, Lakai, Proctor; Cons: Barrett; Pens: Barrett)
Teams
Fijian Drua: 15 Ilaisa Droasese, 14 Joji Nasova, 13 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 12 Isikeli Rabitu, 11 Epeli Momo, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Frank Lomani (captain), 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Motikiai Murray, 6 Etonia Waqa, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Haereiti Hetet
Replacements: 16 Kavaia Tagivetaua, 17 Emosi Tuqiri, 18 Peni Ravai, 19 Vilive Miramira, 20 Kitione Salawa, 21 Isoa Tuwai, 22 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 23 Inia Tabuavou
Hurricanes: 15 Josh Moorby, 14 Bailyn Sullivan, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett (captain), 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 10 Callum Harkin, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Brayden Iose, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Devan Flanders, 5 Warner Dearns, 4 Hugo Plummer, 3 Tevita Mafileo, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Pouri Rakete-Stones
Replacements: 16 Jacob Devery, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Siale Lauaki, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Brad Shields, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Lucas Cashmore, 23 Ngane Punivai
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant referees: Todd Petrie, Maggie Cogger-Orr
TMO: Richard Kelly
English