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Fijian Drua has recorded essentially the most vital win of their two seasons in Tremendous Rugby Pacific with a exceptional 25-24 upset of the reigning champion Crusaders in entrance of a passionate residence crowd in Lautoka.
Key factors:
- Kemu Valetini landed the profitable penalty objective for Fijian Drua
- The 2 sides scored 4 tries every
- The Crusaders defeated the Drua 61-3 final 12 months
Debutant alternative fly-half Kemu Valetini slotted the profitable penalty objective from in entrance of the posts with 80 minutes already up on the clock after a topsy-turvy match performed in stifling warmth at Churchill Park.
Hammered 61-3 by the 13-times Tremendous Rugby champions of their solely earlier assembly in Could final 12 months, the Drua went 12-0 down early within the contest after the Crusaders scored two tries by rolling mauls.
They stormed again with unanswered tries from centre Iosefi Masi, fullback Ilaisa Droasese, flanker Joseva Tamani and winger Eroni Sau to take a 22-12 lead with 13 minutes remaining.
The Crusaders rallied with a strive from Fiji-born winger Sevu Reece and one other from a rolling maul for alternative hooker Ioane Moananu, which fly-half Fergus Burke transformed from the touchline to place the guests 24-22 forward with seconds to go.
The New Zealanders knocked on from the following kick-off to provide the Drua one other probability, nonetheless, and so they labored calmly by a number of phases earlier than the Crusaders have been penalised to provide Valetini the prospect to safe a well-known victory.
“It was unreal immediately, it was epic,” stated Drua captain Tevita Ikanivere.
“The boys got here out within the second half firing and we did the job, we received the win.
“We had the assumption we might do it and we got here and defeated an important Crusaders crew. And what higher solution to do it than in entrance of our residence crowd.”
It was a second defeat in three matches this season for the Crusaders.
“I suppose that is not what we needed, however we received what we anticipated — that is a tricky Drua facet taking part in at residence,” stated Crusaders captain Scott Barrett, who was taking part in his a centesimal Tremendous Rugby match.
“We noticed how harmful they have been, they capitalised with their ability, working play. Congratulations to the Drua on their win.”
Reuters
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