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The Queensland Reds scraped through to a quarterfinal against the table topping Chiefs after Brad Thorn’s side lost to the Drua 41-17 in Suva on Saturday.
The result saw the Drua leapfrog the Reds into seventh spot, meaning Thorn’s side needed a weakened Chiefs beating to beat the Force in Perth to qualify for the finals.
Not helping their cause was the fact Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan made a dozen changes to his side, with the Waikato-based side wrapping up top spot on the Super Rugby standings last weekend with victory over the Brumbies. But the Chiefs B team were superb, rolling the Chiefs 43-19.
Selestino Ravutaumada was one of the Drua’s best during his side’s important win over the Reds to make the Super Rugby finals on June 3, 2023, in Suva. (Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)
For the Drua, it was an afternoon of celebration for Mick Byrne’s side who sealed their finals place with an outstanding victory under pressure in front of a packed crowd at HFC Bank Stadium.
After the score was locked at 17-all at half-time, the Reds crumbled under a wave of pressure as they failed to score a point in the second half.
In stark contrast, Byrne’s Drua scored three converted tries.
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Joseva Tamani’s runaway try from yet another turnover from the Reds sealed the deal, as he allowed the already raucous crowd to celebrate wildly in the closing stages.
Reds skipper Tate McDermott lamented his side’s inability to stay with the Drua, who grew in confidence as the match went on.
“Obviously a real tough second half,” he said. “I was proud of the effort in the first half, but we were nowhere where we needed to be in that second half.
“Awesome atmosphere. You’re pretty lucky to have fans like you do over here and obviously cheered their team home and made them play pretty well.”
The mood was different in the Drua camp, who claimed back-to-back victories to seal their historic maiden finals campaign.
“The boys are happy, you can see how happy we are right now. But hats off to the supporters behind me for paying their duty today,” skipper Meli Derenalagi said.
“A big thank you to our fans who came out in numbers today to support their home team, the Fiji Drua, who have been behind us and supporting us throughout this season. It’s been enjoyable for the boys behind me. That’s why they played their hearts out today.”
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Little went right for the Reds, with very few of their big men having much of an impact.
Needing to silence the home crowd early, their hopes weren’t helped when Jock Campbell kicked out on the full from the kick-off.
While the Reds initially survived, another two poor kicks – the first from Josh Flook who gifted away possession and the second from Filpo Daugunu, who failed to clear his line and was charged down – saw the Drua strike as the brilliant Selestino Ravutaumada was rewarded from a quality kick of his own and an even better kick-chase.
The Reds hit back immediately through Ryan Smith, but the score was going at a point-a-minute when Kalaveti Ravouvou scored after a big overlap out wide following a maul.
Fraser McReight once again hit back for the Reds when he helped put the visitors in front after some dominance at the rolling maul, before James O’Connor, who struggled in the wet and greasy conditions, extended the lead with a penalty.
But Vilive Miramira’s try after a clever kick from Iosefo Masi saw the Drua lock up the score at half-time.
The turning point in the game came after an early penalty to the Drua.
From the kick restart, openside flanker Vilive Miramira shrugged away Daugunu and got the home side back on the front foot. Their pressure and field position was helped when Frank Lomani’s box kick was spilt by O’Connor, before the Drua broke away out wide.
With all the momentum, the Drua camped inside the Reds’ attacking zone. The pressure led to McReight being shown a yellow card for back-to-back penalties.
Eventually the Drua struck, as Mesake Doge burst his way over.
While the Reds were still in it, an overthrown lineout by Matt Faessler saw his opposite Tevita Ikanivere pounce and score to blow open the match.
The Reds had their chances in the final quarter of the match but failed to gain any ascendency, as the Drua’s physical pack forced the visitors into errors.
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Their last sealed the Drua’s path to the finals, as Tamani broke away and scored a runaway try.
