Fijian Drua's Selesitino Ravataumada and Frank Lomani, right. Photo: Fijian Drua
Fiji Drua captain Frank Lomani said their aim the whole week was to win the clash against the Chiefs.
And that the Fijian Drua did in front of a vocal Churchill Park crowd, as they ran out winners 28-24 in the end, handing the Chiefs their first defeat in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific competition.
The humid conditions, even in the rain that came down tumbling down throughout the 80-minute battle, could have had some effect on the Chiefs.
But Lomani said they had learned from their past three defeats this year and stopped the Chiefs in their track.
"Special to this group because three weeks ago we could have won three games," Lomani told Sky Sports after the game.
"We built this momentum starting with the game against the Brumbies, never get to get the win in the last three games.
"I think it's about time. We owe our fans, our supporters who turned up today a win and we came to do the job."
Lomani and the Drua team turned on an 80-minute performance that signals their seriousness to not just be a team in the competition, but serious contenders for a top six title.
He said their focus has not changed from their first game.
"The goal never changed. We turned up every day to work hard to win. So we turned up today and we did what we said we would do.
"There were some players who stepped up to the challenge."
Chiefs captain Tupou Va'ai said they lost the plot after the second half started, as the Drua controlled the momentum of the game.
"We lost our way after halftime," he said.
"I guess Drua just had the momentum and we just could not get it back," he added, saying they would go back to regroup for the next game.
Chiefs came into the game in Lautoka without star playmaker Damien McKenzie.
They had won their first three games so far and led on the points table.
Drua, on the other hand, lost to the Brumbies, Hurricanes and Waratahs - all the three losses came within five minutes of the end of the matches when Drua had the lead.
While the Chiefs took an early lead in the game when hooker Samisoni Taukeiaho crashed over the line, Drua had enough possession for about 20 minutes, taking the game into their opponents' half a number of times.
Flyhalf Isaiah Washington-Ravula varied the attacks for his side and registered their first points with a successful penalty in the 21st minute.
Number eight Jimmy Tupou added to the Chiefs tally in the 26th minute, before Ravula added his second penalty for the Chiefs to lead 12-6 at halftime.
The momentum shifted after restart as Drua took control early, with replacement hooker and co-captain Tevita Ikanivere leading the charges early.
Number eight Meli Derenalagi dived over under the crossbar in the 43rd minute, after Drua had pieced together a number of phases.
Chiefs countered with All Black centre Anton Lienert-Brown chasing a grubber by winger Leroy Carter, diving over to score as he gathered, beating the Fijian defense.
Vueta Karawalevu and Ponipate Loganimasi then scored their tries, with Va'ai closing off the game with his own to give the Chiefs a bonus point in the end.
Fans braved the rain on the embankments and were cheering every time the side scored, counting down towards the end as their team slowed down the game, keeping the ball close upfront.
Drua will travel to Canberra to meet the Brumbies, who scored a 21-20 win over the Blues at Eden Park on Friday nght, next weekend.
The Chiefs host the Blues at home in round five.
