Drua top the table
Voka- captained side bounce back to top NRC table. This Saturday they face NSW Country Eagles in Suva
The Fiji Airways Fijian Drua are back on track in their campaign to host a National Rugby Championship semifinal. The Mosese Voka-captained side snatched a last-gasp 34-31 win over Sydney Rays at Concord Oval in Sydney, Australia, last night. The win has put the Fijians back to the top of the NRC points table. “We had a slow start in the first half, but hats off to the boys for their hard work in the second half,” Voka said. He, however, indicated that they could not afford to do that in their must win clash against the NSW Country Eagles to be played at the ANZ Stadium, Suva, this Saturday. That match kicks off at 3pm.
The silky skills of the Fijian Drua denied us our first win, says a disappointed Sydney Rays captain Hughes Sinclair. This was after the Fiji Airways Fijian Drua side fought from behind to grab a last minute 34-31 win at the Concord Oval in Sydney, Australia last night.
“Their silky skills really tore us apart,” Sinclair said after they blew away a 19-5 lead at halftime.
When approached Drua captain Mosese Voka said they cannot afford to play catch-up rugby and this should not happen when they face NSW Country Eagles in Suva this Saturday.
What happened:
The hosts drew first blood with a try to Connor Vest in the fifth minute with the conversion from centre Harry Burey unsuccessful. The Drua continued to give away possession, which resulted in Ray’s second try to Tyson Davis with the conversion from Burey for a 12-0 lead.
It was not long former Wallabies centre Curtis Rona extended the lead to 19-0 with a try while the conversion went over.
The Drua hit back with a try to fullback Alivereti Veitokani with Serupepeli Vularika’s conversion going wide.
Halftime:
Sydney Rays 19-5 Fijian Drua The hosts struck again in the 3rd minute of the second half with a try to Robaleibau Buaserau with the conversion missing as they led 24-5.
This woke the Drua as they ran in five triesveteran Apisalome Waqatabu touching down twice with a try each to Albert Tuisue, Cyril Reece, Veitokani for his second try while Rona ran in Rays’ final try right on injury time. Deubutant Jone Manu combined well with Veitokani as they exploited gaps in the Rays defence.
Comments: Drua captain Voka said:
“We had a slow start in the first half, but hats off to the boys for their hard work in the second half. “The support from the Fijians at the ground was great and we thank them for cheering us on.”
Rays captain Sinclair said:
“The Fijian Drua is a quality side especially when they have that offload game going.
“Their support plays were spectacular and the two tries in the end cost us the game. “They are a physical side and we are a bit sore but we do this for a living and we have to get on with it.”
HOW WE RATE OUR PLAYERS
1. Joeli Veitayaki: Toiled hard, always in thick of things. 6
2. Ratunaisa Navuma: Improved with his throws, superb in general play. 6
3. Mosese Ducivaki: Scrummed well and did what was wanted of him. 6
4. Tevita Naqali: Stood out in starting debut but need to trim. 6.5
5. Albert Tuisue: A tireless worker. 6.5
6. Eremasi Radrodro: Had his best game and led by example. 7
7. Mosese Voka: Played a captain’s game. 7.5
8. John Dyer: Powerful runner and strong in defence. 7
9. Frank Lomani: Needs to control his pack, slow in delivery. 5.5
10. Serupepeli Vularika: Far from his best. 5
11. Levani Kurumudu: Played his usual game, nothing much. 5
12. Jone Manu: Work on defence otherwise an added option to our strike force 6
13. Cyril Reece: Always giving his all. 6.5
14. Avete Daveta: Yellow card but still not in his best form. 5
15. Alivereti Veitokani: Defended well and he’s our x-factor. 7