The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua failed to maintain their winning record at home this Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season after going down 38-15 to table leaders the Hurricanes last night at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Despite making 10 changes to their line-up, the Hurricanes blew the Drua apart in the first half with four tries and was enough for the win.
The Drua managed a try to rookie fly half Isikeli Rabitu as the Kiwis raced to a 28-7 lead at halftime.
A solid start in the second spell revived the Drua’s hopes when Salawa was carried through by the forwards from a driving maul off a lineout five metres out from the Hurricanes try line.
Two yellow cards against the Hurricanes resurrected the fans hopes of a great comeback.
A Kemu Valetini penalty was the only points the Drua scored when they had the numerical advantage to trail 28-15.
However, the table leaders slotted a penalty not too long after before adding another converted try to seal the win.
Drua coach Mick Bryne says the players tried everything to score when they had the numerical advantage but were unfortunate not to get their way.
“So if there is an opportunity to score a try, it’s not selfish, it’s just that they are trying everything and they go on their own. They decide they are going to win the game and we need to learn, as we will over the coming couple of years, our game management and that will be what’s available for the team to score.”
In the other Super Rugby Pacific match last night, the Reds defeated the Highlanders 31-0.
Tonight the Blues take on the Brumbies at 7:05pm before the Crusaders face the Western Force at 9:35pm.