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THE Fijian Drua pulled off an incredible upset against the mighty Crusaders in a thrilling Super Rugby clash at Lautoka’s Churchill Park. The day was perfect for champagne rugby as fans poured in to support their home team, who were looking to bounce back after a tough loss last week.
The Crusaders started strong, winning the kickoff and setting up a couple of plays, but the Drua quickly fought back and won themselves a penalty in the 3rd minute. Unfortunately, the Drua’s first five Teti Tela failed to convert the opportunity. However, backrower Joseva Tamani quickly made his presence felt on the field, winning penalties and making a few breaks in the early stages of the game.
The game remained tit-for-tat for both teams, but the Crusaders suffered a huge blow when their star second five eighth injured his arm in the 8th minute and was forced to leave the field.
The Crusaders scored the first try of the game after winning a clean lineout ball in the 10th minute, with hooker Quentin MacDonald
crossing over from the back of a maul.
The Crusaders led 5-0.
The intensity of the game increased as the Drua piled up bonecrunching tackles, which may have put the champions on the back foot. Drua debutant Eroni Sau sent the crowd into a frenzy after charging down Crusaders’ Fijian-born winger Sevu Reece.
In the 21st minute, the Crusaders hooker MacDonald crossed over again for another try, giving them a 12-0 lead.
However, the Drua fought back and won a penalty right in front of the post in the 26th minute. They opted to take the tap, but lost the ball, which was cleared by Reece.
The Crusaders dominated the scrums in the first half and pushed the Drua to the limits.
The halftime score was 12-5 to the Crusaders.
Both teams came out firing in the second half, and after missing out on penalties and scoring chances, the Drua were back on the board after Lomani cunningly slipped a pass to Apisaloma Vota, who dove in for a try on the 49th minute.
Fullback Ilaisa Droasese scored another try on the 60th minute, and livewire blindside flanker Tamani crossed the whitewash again to give the Drua the lead 17-12.
The Drua brigade struck again in the 66th minute after openside flanker Kitione Salawa broke the Crusaders’ defence and sent Eroni Sau across the line for a well-deserved try in the corner, extending their lead to 22-12.
The Crusaders sparked back into life in the 74th minute when Reece scored, With Ioane Moananu touching down soon after, giving replacement first-five Fergus Burke the chance to be the hero with a sideline conversion. He made it, but there was one final twist to come.
When Crusaders replacement Noah Hotham knocked on from the re-start, it gifted the Drua one last chance. And when they earned a penalty advantage with the subsequent next phase, it was a chance for Kemu Valentini, on debut, with his first kick of the match, to win it. He drilled the ball straight down the middle for an unforgettable night for Fijian rugby, and a welldeserved victory for the Drua.