Fijian Drua lost to Brumbies in Round 8 of the Super Rugby Pacific competition at the GIO Stadium in Canberra on 14 April 2023. Photo: Fijian Drua
Analysis - The Fiji Drua must shake off the curse of not winning away from home as their hopes of getting their first win away this season failed in Canberra on Friday night, as the Brumbies won 38-21 at the Gio Stadium.
In the end the loss came via the highest margin Drua were defeated by - losing by 17 points in round five. They had lost their previous three within seven points, losing to the Brumbies in Suva 36-32 in round one.
Interestingly, it is not going to get any easier for the side, having to travel to Perth on Saturday, to meet the Western Force next weekend.
Co-captain and halfback Frank Lomani pointed at discipline as their main weakness again, which saw them getting penalised and forced on the backfoot again and again.
"We spoke about discipline during the week," he said after the match.
"In the first half we conceded a lot of penalties. Against a team like Brumbies, they liked to maul and took advantage.
"At halftime we talked about discipline and keep ball in hand and see. We sort of found that momentum coming into the second half, we just didn't finish it."
That was exactly what head coach Glen Jackson has been harping about in the past five weeks - not being able to finish off well. Except against the Chiefs last weekend in Lautoka.
On their home turf the Brumbies started as favourites to win.
The fact that they had also defeated the Fiji Drua in Suva, in the very first round of the competition, gave them an advantage.
Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa said the Drua capitalised on their mistakes, but his team were able to get back to their system and take control of the game again in the second half.
"Fiji Drua capitalised on our mistakes in the second half," he said.
"We just went back to the structure of our game and just making sure we were disciplined on our attacks.
"I thought we did well in the first-half, but we dropped a few balls in the second and they capitalised on that. That's what they pride themselves over, especially that turn over attack."
Drua, who defeated the previously unbeaten Chiefs in Lautoka last Saturday, had their own aim going into the game - top of that was securing their first win against the Stephen Larkham coached side.
And ending the long run of losing all their games on the road since their last win over Moana Pasifika in Melbourne in 2023.
However, after an 80 minute plus battle on the field, the result was clear for all to see.
Game progress
While it took the Brumbies 19 minutes before they could finally break the Drua defence, the Fijians were beaten in the first half, with the hosts crossing the line a number of times.
Then, when they should have kicked for points twice from in front in the second half, the visitors opted for taps but lost possession both times, and the chance to at least have six points added to their scores.
Outside centre Len Ikitau got three tries to his name, diving over from a quick ruck after the hosts had put together a number of phases in the 19th minute of the first 40 to score.
Prior to that, the Drua had kept the ball in hand for almost six minutes, but knock-ons close to the Brumbies line saw their chances go begging.
When the Brumbies had their turn on the ball, they pinned the Fijians back inside their 22-metres zone.
Half-back Ryan Lonergan dotted down for the side's second try after Ikitau was stopped close to the Fijian line yet again. Lonergan looked wide as he went in to collect the ball and put the ball over the Drua line.
Drua finally were able to respond with their own try in the 26th - winger Popinpate Loganimasi was taken down in a late arm tackle by Tom Wright as he chipped and chased through with an open try line in front of him.
From the ensuing penalty move, number eight Elia Canakaivata dived over after he got the pass from halfback and co-captain Frank Lomani. Ravula converted as the Drua closed the gap to 14-7.
But just like their last four games, the Drua could not hold off their opponents as in the 29th as Ikitau finished off another Brumbies move to take the score further to 19-7. Noah Lolesio's 3rd conversion saw the Brumbies lead 21-7.
Then in the 32nd minute fullback Tom Wright steps through and dummied, before running clear to set up Andy Muirhead to run in untouched. Brumbies 26-7. Lolesio converted, as the Brumbies led 28-7 at the breather.
When game resumed in the second half, the Drua responded with two superb tries of their own, with flanker Motikiai Murray and co-captain Tevita Ikanivere claiming classical tries after some Fijian flashes of brilliance.
But impressive Tom Wright stepped his way through in the 50th minute to set up Ikitau for his hat-trick, as the Brumbies led 33-21.
Ikanivere could have been given his second try of the match in the 55th minute but his attempt was disallowed after he knocked the ball on the line.
Replacement Luke Reimer had the last laugh with a try from close range to give his Brumbies side a well-earned 38-21 win.
The Drua finished the game with 14 players in the end after flanker Murray was yellow carded with time almost up on the clock.
