The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua has broken their losing streak to the Highlanders after claiming an emphatic 24-14 win at the 4R Electric Stadium in Ba this afternoon.
The Drua has never beaten the Highlanders since entering the Shop N Save Super Rugby competition in 2022, and the win this afternoon saw them break that streak.
The Drua started the match strongly with experienced midfielder Virimi Vakatawa scoring a converted try in the 8th minute before the Highlanders equalised with a converted try to winger Jonah Lowe to level the score at 7-all after 15 minutes.
Fullback Isikeli Rabitu put the Drua back into a 12-7 lead with an unconverted try in the 25th minute after a great piece of play from the home side, and Rabitu beating a few defenders to dive over the try line.
The Highlanders had the advantage in terms of possession in the first half, and they managed to grab the lead again in the 38th minute with a converted try to flanker, Veveni Lasaqa, which was enough to put them ahead at 14-12 at the break.
The Drua came back firing in the second half with Rabitu scoring his second try in the 43rd minute to give the home side a 17-14 lead with Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula missing the conversion.
Backrower, Elia Canakaivata, on his 50th match scored a converted try in the 48th minute to extend the Drua’s lead to 24-14.
The Drua was reduced to 14 men after fullback, Rabitu, was yellow-carded for a foul play in the 61st minute, but they held their defence to deny the Highlanders from turning possession into points.
The Highlanders tried to make a come back in the final quarter, but the Drua held on to win the match.
