We’re not giving up, says Drua captain

The Rooster Chicken Fijiana Drua is not giving up in their campaign to defend the Super W title.

That was the message from Drua captain Bitila Tawake after their 45-22 loss to Queensland Reds yesterday.

The Drua finished fourth on the points table and has qualified for this Sunday’s semifinal against the unbeaten NSW Waratahs at the Concord Oval in Sydney, Australia.

“We’ll keep working together but we’ll never give up,” Tawake said.

She also highlighted the need for them to tighten up their defence along with their discipline and not to give away easy points to the opposition.

The Drua tries came from Siteri Rasolea, Litia Marama, Merewai Cumu and Vani Arei with Livia Naidei landing the conversion. In what was the final round of the regular season, the Reds ran in seven tries to four in dominant display, Fijian winger Heleina Young scoring a try in her Queensland and Super W debut. It was a dream start for the Reds, Carola Kreis crossing out wide in the opening minute after a Young line-break propelled Queensland downfield.

The visitors hit back with a pair of quick tries to Rasolea and Marama, before the Reds had their second courtesy of Haidee Head.

It was another Young break that put Queensland in position to score, with Head’s support line seeing the backrower score under the posts. Cecilia Smith converted to even the scores at 12-all in the 33rd minute.

Alana Elisaia scored off a Diane Hiini break to give Queensland their third, with Smith’s second conversion putting the Reds into a 19-12 lead at the break.

Second semifinal

In the second semifinal, sees Brumbies taking on the Reds. Brumbies denied Force a semifinal spot after a 45-27 thrashing in Perth on Saturday.

The Brumbies started strongly and had the game wrapped up within 33 minute after running in five converted tries for a 35-0 lead. “We had a good crack in the second half but the first 40 let us down,” said Force captain Trilleen Pomare.*