The Fijian Drua yesterday pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the history of Super Rugby, beating defending champions the Canterbury Crusaders 25-24 with a penalty two minutes after the fulltime siren.
In a thrilling finish to a match played in searing heat in Lautoka, Fiji, the Drua rallied from 12-5 down at halftime to lead 22-12, then saw the Crusaders come back to take a 24-22 lead with a converted try in the 78th minute.
With the last play of the game, the Drua won a penalty in front of the Crusaders’ posts and Kemu Valetini, the brother of Wallabies player Rob Valetini, took on the massive responsibility to kick the winning penalty on debut.
Photo: AFP
Churchill Park erupted when the kick from close range passed over the crossbar to clinch the most significant win in the Drua’s history.
They now are 2-1 and moved up to fifth place after being leapfrogged by the Auckland Blues (2-1), who beat the Wellington Hurricanes (2-1) 25-19, while the Crusaders, now 1-2, dropped to eighth.
Later yesterday, the ACT Brumbies (3-0) won 23-17 against the Queensland Reds (1-2) and the Western Force (2-1) beat Moana Pasifika (0-3) 21-18, while on Friday, the Waikato Chiefs (3-0) trounced the Otago Highlanders (0-3) 28-7 and the Melbourne Rebels (1-2) edged the NSW Waratahs (1-2) 34-27.
Photo: AP
“We prepared for this week from Monday. We had the belief we could do it,” Drua captain Tevita Ikanivere said. “We came out and defeated a great Crusaders team. What better way to do it than on our home turf?”
The Crusaders won the equivalent fixture last year 61-3. This year, the Crusaders named a weakened team as head coach Scott Robertson was forced to rest most of his All Blacks.
The Crusaders still dominated at set pieces in the first half and scored two tries to hooker Quentin MacDonald from lineout drives.
The Drua were keen to play the match at pace and among the backs, and pulled one try back before halftime through Iosefo Masi.
The Crusaders forwards appeared to wilt in the heat in the second half and the Drua pack became more assertive.
Ilaisa Droasese scored a try from phase play in the 50th minute then scrumhalf Frank Domani switched an openside play to the blindside in the 61st minute and Joseva Tamani scored.
That put the Drua in front for the first time and they stretched their lead to 10 points with a try to Eroni Sau.
The Crusaders rallied strongly with two tries and Fergus Burke converted the second from the sideline to put his team ahead 24-12 before Valetini sealed the match with his penalty.
“We have to play 80 minutes, and for periods there we just turned our back and they showed how dangerous they are and capitalized with their skill,” said Crusaders captain Scott Barrett, who played his 100th Super Rugby match.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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