The NSW Waratahs suffered a bruising and agonising 28-14 defeat to the Fijian Drua in Round 10 of the Super Rugby Pacific, going down in front of a passionate crowd at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday afternoon.
The NSW Waratahs were unable to repeat their Round 3 success over the Drua at home in Sydney, struggling to maintain momentum and control key passages, especially in the second half where the Drua’s pressure and attack proved too much to handle.
“We made too many errors, too many turnovers – and the Drua thrive on that,” said NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar post-match.
“We didn’t help ourselves.”
Asked what - if any - positives could be taken from the game, McKellar said: “I will review the game and have a look. We will see if there is any positivity to come out it.
“[There were] obviously some good moments, but the Drua deserved the win.”
The NSW Waratahs opened their scoring in the 25th minute through No. 8 Langi Gleeson after a well-worked attacking build-up, with the assist provided by scrumhalf Jack Grant, who had come after starting No. 9 Teddy Wilson had sustained a head knock and was undergoing an HIA.
Flyhalf Lawson Creighton's conversion tightened the score to 13-7 with the Drua’s points from flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula's two penalties and flanker Motikiai Murray's try.
Wilson returned to play after passing his HIA, but he would not be the only injury concern for the NSW Waratahs by full-time.
Lock Ben Grant (lower leg) and No. 7 Charlie Gamble (calf muscle) also left the field in the first half.
The NSW Waratahs looked like they were getting on top of things as the first half neared its end.
But momentum suddenly shifted as Drua winger Ponepati Loganimasi, set up by No. 8 Elia Canakaiva, scored in the 38th to put the score 18-7 at half-time.
It was a tough blow for the NSW Waratahs after they had done plenty of defending and looked like they were working back into the match.
“I felt like we were still in it,” NSW Waratahs captain Hugh Sinclair said during the post-match press conference of the game at half-time.
“We were obviously disappointed to let in that try just before half-time.
“We knew if we could get our hands on the ball, we could make the Drua pay.
"But unfortunately, it was errors on errors, and we just let them back into our half again and again. We couldn’t capitalise.”
After the break, Armstrong-Ravula slotted a penalty to extend the Drua’s lead to 21-7.
But then the NSW Waratahs came within striking distance in the 56th minute when reserve hooker Julian Heaven scored a try under the posts off a strong phase of attack, with flyhalf Tane Edmed converting to take the score to 21-14.
But the Drua were quick to reassert dominance by regularly breaching the NSW Waratahs’ line.
“You can’t miss that many tackles in the first half and expect to get a good result,” Sinclair said.
“We made some errors and played into their hands. They love that sort of footy. It’s disappointing.”
Despite a late flurry, the NSW Waratahs couldn’t claw their way back.
Adding salt to their wounds, a penalty try was awarded to the Drua in the dying seconds for off-side, resulting in fullback Joseph-Aukuso being yellow-carded.
That sealed the NSW Waratahs’ fate at 28-14, a loss that will give them plenty to think about as they head into a Round 11 bye week.
Disappointment aside, Sinclair was gracious of the local support and the unique atmosphere at Churchill Park.
“It’s always awesome here. The fans are epic, really loud – it’s a special place to play … Tough, but the hospitality has been fantastic.”
Tries: Motikai Murray, Ponepati Loganimasi, Penalty try
Conversions: Isiah Armstrong-Ravula
Penalties: Isiah Armstrong-Ravula (3)
Tries: Langi Gleeson, Julian Heaven
Conversions: Lawson Creighton, Tane Edmed
