Super Rugby Pacific | Fijian Drua still in the hunt

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua remains in the running for a berth in the playoffs of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific this season after a hard fought 47-46 win over Moana Pasifika in round 14 yesterday.

Both teams scored seven tries each in a match which was eventually decided by the number of successful conversions.

The visitors started stronger with fullback William Havili scoring in the 6th minute which was converted giving Moana Pasifika a 7-0 lead.

Fijian Drua skipper Meli Derenalagi opened the scoring for the Drua to level the scores at 7-all.

Robust center Iosefo Masi continued with his try scoring form this season breaking a number of tackles to dive over for his team’s second.

Fullback Ilaisa Droasese scored his first of two tries while Eroni Sau dived over from close range to give the hosts a 26-24 lead at halftime.

Moana Pasifika started the half strongly with a penalty by Leali’ifano, putting them ahead 27-26.

With the backing of home crowd support, the Fijiana Drua scored three tries through Droasese and Masi(2) to take a commanding 47-27 lead into the last quarter of the match.

Moana Pasifika had a run of tries of their own scoring three times, the last one closing the gap to 47-46.

Leali’ifano had the chance to win the match with the last conversion, 10 meters from the touchline.

Usually reliable from that spot, the former Wallaby hooked his kick away to the left hand side of the uprights sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

The Drua host the Reds at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva next Saturday and a win will all but secure a spot for them in the last eight.