Electric Drua fans invigorate Super scene
Super Rugby is far from dead. The Fijian Drua and the Suva locals made sure of that. Sure, the Highlanders spoiled their long-awaited homecoming party by turning a seven-point halftime deficit into a 27-24 win last evening, but there was more to this game than the result.
At a time when crowds aren’t exactly flocking to fixtures – look no further than the Chiefs v Reds match in Brisbane on Friday night – the sight of some 15,000 Fijians in hysterics at ANZ Stadium was invigorating.
Coupled with their adventurous and thrilling style, it was as if someone had grabbed a set of defibrillators and sent a jolt through the competition.
Days after talk of sluggish ticket sales, they made enough noise for 30,000, creating a cauldron for the visiting Highlanders – the last thing a team down on confidence and battling for their second win of the year needed.
For all the talk of a flawed playoff format, for all the talk of how much South African teams are missed, and the Aussies can’t beat the Kiwis, administrators sure got it right with the inclusion of the Drua and fellow newbies Moana Pasifika this year.
There is no team more entertaining to watch in the competition. Week after week they produce scarcely believable tries from the end of the earth.
If they aren’t already, they will surely soon become everyone’s second favourite team.
You even got the feeling the Highlanders were in awe of the Drua after the hosts scored three scorching first-half tries.
If Frank Lomani leaving Mitch Hunt for dead with a leftfoot step in just the third minute to open the scoring was good, Kalaveti Ravouvou diving on a delicate Teti Tela grubber kick for their third try on 23min was superb.
But nothing summed up how lethal the Drua can be with ball in hand than Vinaya Habosi’s 15th-min try.
His electric 80m dash down the left-hand flank left Highlanders sprawled on the deck and was as good as any try scored on the counter this season.
But for all the magic they can conjure, they remain their own worst enemies.
Twice they spilled the ball attempting to exit their 22 through their daring running game. Twice the Highlanders scored shortly after.
Their wonky lineout also remains their Achilles heel, with six of their 11 throws failing to hit their target.
Another poorly executed lineout killed off their chances of snatching their second win of the season, ensuring Highlanders coach Tony Brown marked his 100th game as coach (assistant and head coach combined) with a much-needed win.
They sure had to work for it, having trailed 21-10 after 23 eyepopping minutes, and 24-17 at halftime.
But, led by a super performance from Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, one of a bunch of quality No 8 spread among New Zealand franchises, the Highlanders scrapped like they knew their season depended on it. The good news for home fans is they will play on home soil against the Chiefs on May 27.