Moana Pasifika proved life without Ardie Savea can still be explosive, powering past the Fijian Drua 40–26 in a stirring Super Rugby victory at Churchill Park on Saturday.
With Savea on sabbatical in Japan, captain Miracle Faiilagi stepped into the leadership role — and delivered emphatically. The dynamic back-rower crossed for a hat-trick as Moana stormed to a commanding 33–12 advantage before surviving a late Drua surge to claim their first win in Lautoka.
Fast and Fearless Start
Moana Pasifika exploded out of the blocks, showing no signs of missing their talisman. Faiilagi struck twice inside the opening 17 minutes as the visitors raced to a 21–0 lead, with powerhouse No.8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa also crashing over to underline their early dominance.
The Drua clawed their way onto the scoreboard through centre Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, but momentum quickly swung back when Mesake Vocevoce was sin-binned for a professional foul. Moana capitalised immediately, extending their lead to 28–7.
Just before halftime, new Drua recruit Virimi Vakatawa injected life into the contest, slicing through the line and offloading brilliantly for Kitione Salawa to score, trimming the deficit to 28–12.
Drua Fight, Moana Hold Firm
Faiilagi completed his hat-trick shortly after the restart, restoring Moana’s authority. Yet the Drua refused to fold. Ilaisa Droasese crossed to spark hope, and co-captain Temo Mayanavanua later barged over to bring the margin back to a converted try.
A potential Drua score from Isikeli Rabitu was ruled out for a forward pass by Frank Lomani, a pivotal moment as the hosts pressed hard in front of their passionate home support.
Ultimately, indiscipline proved costly. A string of penalties inside the final 10 minutes handed Moana territorial control, and replacement Ofa Tauatevalu sealed the result with a decisive try three minutes from time.
Moana Pasifika 40 (Tries: Faiilagi 3, Tupou Ta’eiloa, Ofa, Tauatevalu; Cons: Pellegrini 5) def Fijian Drua 26 (Tries: Samusamuvodre, Mayanavanua, Salawa, Droasese; Cons: Valetini 3)
Fiji Drua: 15 Ilaisa Droasese, 14 Manasa Mataele, 13 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 12 Virimi Vakatawa, 11 Ponipate Loganimasi, 10 Kemu Valetini, 9 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Mesake Vocevoce, 5 Temo Mayanavanua (co-captain), 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Haereiti Hetet.
Replacements: 16 Penaia Cakobau, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Samuela Tawake, 19 Joseva Tamani, 20 Isoa Tuwai, 21 Frank Lomani (co-captain), 22 Isikeli Rabitu, 23 Epeli Momo
Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Tevita Ofa, 13 Lalomilo Lalomila,12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7 Semisi Paea, 6 Miracle Faiilagi (captain), 5 Allan Craig, 4 Tom Savage, 3 Chris Apoua, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 Tito Tuipulotu.
Replacements: 16 Samiuela Moli, 17 Abraham Pole, 18 Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, 19 Ofa Tauatevalu, 20 Dominic Ropeti, 21 Siaosi Nginingini, 22 Denzel Samoa, 23 Glen Vaihu
Referee: Marcus Playle
Assistant Referees: Fraser Hannon, Dan Moore
TMO: Glenn Newman
English