With the victory, the Fujian Drua celebrate their return home.
With a 20-10 victory in front of an ardent home crowd in Lautoka, the Fijian Drua have condemned the reigning champion Crusaders to their poorest start since the inaugural Super Rugby season in 1996.
Under new coach Rob Penney, the error-prone Crusaders lost three straight games in the Super Rugby Pacific season as they were unable to handle the hot weather and the strength and speed of the Drua. After winning at Churchill Park stadium last season, the Drua defended valiantly and richly deserved their second consecutive victory over the 13-time Super Rugby winners.
“This victory is not for us; rather, it’s for the supporters who consistently support us,” Drua captain Meli Derenalagi remarked on Saturday. “We were unhappy and irritated after losing the last two games. The boys were blazing today as we protected our territory.”
Winger Sevu Reece, a Fijian, crossed for a converted try in the 19th minute to give the Crusaders, who were going through a transitional period with the departure of longstanding coach Scott Robertson to the All Blacks and flyhalf Richie Mo’unga to Japan, a 10-0 lead.
Flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula gave the Drua a response penalty, and winger Selestino Ravutaumada completed a characteristically flamboyant move to take the teams into halftime level at 10–10.
Fijian scrumhalf Five minutes into the second half, Frank Lomani, who was fantastic leading the Drua across the park, scored the team’s second try. Armstrong-Ravula’s additional penalty in the 72nd minute ensured the points were secured.
Lock Scott Barrett, the captain of the Crusaders and an All Black, remarked, “We weren’t sharp and clinical as we’d like. We didn’t execute.”
“You give the Fijian Drua a sniff and they’ll punish you.”