RECAP: The NSW Waratahs have notched up their first ever win on Fijian soil over the Drua, prevailing 50-35 in a high scoring affair in Suva.
The win ends a 14-match losing streak for the Waratahs outside of Australia, keeps their finals hopes alive, and critically, likely ends the Drua's hopes of cracking the top six.
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Despite losing Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii before the kick-off to a tight hamstring, the visitors hit the ground running, punishing several mistakes from the home side with early tries to Harry Potter, Max Jorgensen and Ioane Moananu.
The Drua struck back through Mesake Doge, but three tries in the final 12 minutes of the half to Sid Harvey, Angus Scott-Young and Teddy Wilson saw the hosts with a mountain to climb, down 36-7 at halftime.
After Moananu nabbed his second early for the visitors, the Drua kicked into gear with tries to Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and Temo Mayanavanua in the second half.
However, an eighth try and final try to Waratah subsitute Apolosi Ranawai proved enough for the visitors to keep the Drua at arms length, delivering a famous victory for the sky blue jersey in Suva.
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The Drua get a free kick, and decide to run deep. They look dangerous, getting up to the 22 and earning a penalty advantage. It falls apart, so we come back for the penalty.
Drua going to the corner for the consolation try as the siren sounds in Suva. They get an advantage of the maul, and go work. The Tahs try to hold them out, and after multiple phases, co-captain Temo Mayanavanua gets over the line to score the last try.
It's too little, too late, but it finally gives the Drua fans something to smile about.
Tahs kick to the corner, but they lose the lineout and Drua mop up.
They try to go wide, but it doesn't link up, as the Tahs attack on the 10m line. They look dangerous and try to go wide, but Riley knocks it on in the 22. Into the last minute of action.
That try has put a spring in the Drua's step, and they attack well but then knock it on again.
Tahs win the scrum, but knock it on themselves, and we have another scrum, eating up more time as we head into the last five minutes. Looks like the Tahs are going to end a 14 match losing streak outside of Australia.
Drua attack, and the Tah defence holds up, drives them back and gets a penalty. Story of the night.
Into the final ten minutes, and the Drua earn another penalty and attack deep into enemy territory. Valetini breaks through the line and finds Tuidraki Samusamuvodre to score!
We're going upstairs to check for a knock on in the lead up… and it stands! Valetini converts and the hosts are finishing with a flourish.
The hosts return with venom, and earn an advantage on attack. The play breaks down, but the ref brings them back, and the Drua immediately kick to the corner.
However, the Tahs pinch another one who clear, then pinch a second lineout. It's all going wrong for the hosts at set piece.
Tahs attack again, but the Drua look more composed on defence, until they are caught offside. Doleman gives the Drua a warning, and the Tahs kick to the corner, 10m out from the Drua line.
The Tahs launch off the maul, and get an advantage for offside… and Apolosi Ranawai scores in front of his home nation! Bowen takes over kicking duties and is successful as the Tahs hit the half century.
Tahs come up with the ball after a bomb in the air, and they attack from halfway. Phillip and Bowen get some inroads, and the visitors look dangerous.
After nine phases we have a knock on less than 10m out from the line, Drua scrum. The hosts win it and clear, but the danger isn't gone yet as the Tahs are 30 metres out.
Virimi Vakatawa breaks the line, but he can't link up with Fines-Leleiwasa, but the play is messy and Tahs ground it in their goal line. 5m scrum to the Drua, critical chance here.
They go wide, the Tahs defence holds. The phases build up, and the Tahs concede an advantage, and finally Kitione Salawa gets over after nine phases. Valentini converts, and maybe, there is a chance for the hosts.
The Drua are penalised for advancing in front of the kick, and the clock is stopped while Potter receives some treatment in the hospital wing.
Clock restarted, Tahs take the scrum option in a good position in the 22. They shove big but are penalised for walking around. Hosts clear to halfway and attack.
The Drua earn a 50/22, critical opportunity for this side. The Tahs spoil the lineout, but the Drua win it back… and score! Elia Canakaivata comes up with it, and Kemu Valetini converts.
The Tahs attack, and find them on the flank. Wilson finds Moananu and he runs 30 metres to score his second. That's a dream try!
Harvey converts, and a critical score for the visitors. The Drua are back to a full compliment, but the fans' faces say it all. They have a lot of work to do.
Early penalty for the hosts, the Tahs penalised for not rolling away. The hosts win the lineout, but the Tahs are penalised again for contact in the air.
The Drua kick to the corner, but it's been stolen by the Tahs off the lineout. They clear to halfway. Drua win the lineout but cough it up, and the Tahs attack.
Very contrasting coach chat at halftime as the Drua get us back underway, their big 40 minutes in their season coming up.
The Drua try to do it the old fashioned way, but over kick it and the Tahs take the mark as the siren sounds. They tidy up and head into the break.
Wilson snipes around the ruck, and Isikeli Rabitu puts a dangerous tackle on and is sent to the bin! Tahs go to the corner.
Tahs win the lineout, Drua win the turnover but clear under pressure and don't chew off many metres.
Tahs win the lineout and go to the big men, and the Drua are caught offside, and the Tahs score their sixth through Angus Scott-Young. Harvey converts, and the crowd is stunned into silence.
The Drua attack, but the Tahs have turned it over but are penalised for not staying on their feet.
The Dura win the lineout and attack on the 22, but they knock it on again! Strong defence and patience is killing the hosts, as another chance goes begging.
Tahs win the scrum and kick ahead, and Drua clear from their 22 to halfway.
Another kicking battle ensues, and the Tahs come up trumps again for their fifth try of the half!
The Tahs, with ball in hand, catch the Drua napping around the ruck and Halaholo combines to put Teddy Wilson away. They're doing upstairs if there was an obstruction though… and it is determined that the try is good.
The crowd is furious, Harvey misses the conversion, but the lead is growing for the Waratahs.
The Tahs recover brilliantly, playing coast to coast rugby before Jorgensen combines to put Harvey away. They are going to stop and check a pass, but it is cleared.
Harvey misses his own conversion, but it's a critical score for the visitors.
A knock on off the restart, and the hosts have a scrum in Tah territory. They win it, and get to work for their first try through the forwards.
They win a penalty, tap and go, and Tahs are offside, and Doge gets over under the posts for the hosts first try. Conversion successful.
The Tahs are on fire!
Brilliant kick ahead from Bowen and Jorgensen pounces on it to score! Harvey converts and the hosts have a lot of work to do.
After a promising restart, the Drua send it to the air and Jorgensen tidies up. Tahs clear, and Drua attack, and make it to the 22 before the ball goes into touch. Frustrating end, the Tahs look to be shutting down fast transitions and giving the hosts the chance to offload.
Waratahs win the lineout and and go wide, and the Tahs attack into the hosts 22.
The visitors pinch a lineout and attack, but the Drua win it back and try to kick ahead, but Jorgensen tidies up well. They clear, Drua attack again but knock it on, they look to be forcing the play a bit.
Tahs win the scrum and attack, and kick ahead. Drua regather but are penalised for taking a player without the ball. Tahs go to the corner, good opportunity here.
Tahs maul it, and score again! Ioane Moananu comes up with his fourth try of the year. Harvey nails the conversion, and the visitors look composed.
Error off the restart for the Tahs, as the kick it out on the full and the Drua have a chance to return fire early.
They win the lineout, but Vakatawa knocks it on! Another scrum to the visitors, they clear, and a chance goes begging for the visitors.
The Drua concede a penalty at scrum time, and the visitors have their first chance to attack on the 22.
Slick lineout move, and inside ball to Potter, who breaks through the defensive line to score! Critical first try for the visitors. Harvey pulls it to the side, but the visitors lead.
Both sides are wary starting into this match, kicking the ball back and forth as they look to launch an attacking raid.
Finally, the Drua kick it too far and the Tahs call a mark. They clear it to halfway, Drua win the lineout and attack. However they knock it on in the middle of the park, scrum down.
The sides are out on the park in the capital, and the Drua deliver a fiery Na Bole to the Waratahs as we prepare for the action.
James Doleman blows his whistle, and we are underway in Suva!
Tries: Doge, Canakaivata, Salawa, Samusamuvodre, Mayanavanua
Cons: Armstrong-Ravula 1/1 Valetini 4/4
Cards: Rabitu (Yellow - 34')
Tries: Potter, Moananu 2, Jorgensen, Harvey, Wilson, Scott-Young, Ranawai
Cons: Harvey 2/5, Bowen 3/3
Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the NSW Waratahs' clash with the Fijian Drua in Suva to kick off Saturday's action in round 14.
Both sides are going through their warm-up, with confirmation of no changes for the hosts. For the Waratahs however, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is a late scratching in the centres due to a tight hamstring, prompting a reschuffle. Tristian Reilly will move out of win into the centres to fill the gap, with Sid Harvey coming off the bench onto the wing and George Poolman coming into the 23.
It's been a busy afternoon in Suva. Fijiana Drua have played out a 27-all draw with the NSW Waratahs Womens side in the first trials of the forthcoming Super Rugby Women's season.
The Waratahs have won the toss and will kick off, heading left to right on the broadcast.
Conditions look overcast, rainy and humid: a classic afternoon in Suva, but knowing how Fiji play, don't expect a dogged clash in capital as both sides play for finals placings.
DRUA (1-15): Peni Ravai, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Temo Mayanavanua (co-c), Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Manasa Mataele, Virimi Vakatawa, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Frank Lomani (co-c), Isikeli Rabitu
Replacements: Kavaia Tagivetaua, Emosi Tuqiri, Samuela Tawake, Mesake Vocevoce, Vilive Miramira, Isoa Tuwai, Philip Baselala, Kemu Valetini
WARATAHS (1-15): Jack Barrett, Ioane Moananu, Dan Botha, Matt Philip (c), Miles Amatosero, Clem Halaholo, Charlie Gamble, Angus Scott-Young, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Sid Harvey, Lawson Creighton, Triston Reilly, Harry Potter, Max Jorgensen
Replacements: Oniti Finau, Isaac Kailea, Apolosi Ranawai, Ben Grant, Jamie Adamson, Michael McDonald, Jack Debreczeni, George Poolman
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Aaron Paterson
The Drua's clash with the Waratahs will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 2:20 pm with kickoff expected at 2:35 pm.
