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NSW Waratahs Bury Fijian Drua's Super Rugby Pacific Hopes In Laucala Mud
Iliesa Tora, Senior Sports Journalist, RNZ Pacific
Fijian Drua's hopes of winning a top-six spot were buried in the Laucala soil, as NSW Waratahs sailed home to win their Super Rugby Pacific clash 50-35 in Suva.
The Drua, who needed a good win to keep their hopes alive, trailled 36-7 at halftime and finished second best in front of their fans at the HFC Stadium.
Drua co-captain Temo Mayanavanua said they failed to execute, but congratulated the Waratahs.
"I think it's just the execution in certain areas…. that one got us," he said. "There were a couple of key moments that we weren't urgent enough and that's not good for us."
Waratahs captain Matt Philip admitted it was a tough clash, but was happy with the win.
Waratahs started well and had six tries on the scoreboard in the first 40 minutes, outplaying their hosts in almost all departments.
Those tries came through Harry Potter, Ioane Moananu, Sid Harvey, Max Jorgensen, Teddy Wilson and Angus Scott-Young. Drua's only first-half try came via prop Mesake Doge.
The second half started strongly again for the Waratahs, with Moananu, Jack Bowen and Fijian Apolosi Ranawai claiming tries in the second 40, and finished off with a bonus-point win that puts their case for a top-six finish in good stead, heading into the last two rounds of the competition.
Drua failed to fire for most parts of the game, but tries to Elia Canakaivata, Kitione Salawa, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Temo Mayanavanua got them back into the game.
Mayanavanua scored just before fulltime, but the Waratahs had done the damage early and just played it out for the rest of the game.
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