First-half surge powers Fijian Drua to victory over Rebels

Sat, Apr 1, 2023, 6:18 AM
Melissa Woods - AAP
by Melissa Woods - AAP

Melbourne have been blasted off the park in a frantic opening 40 minutes, falling to Fijian Drua 38-28 in their Super Rugby Pacific clash in Suva.

The Rebels' mantra of playing "fast and fearless" was thrown back in their face by a rampant home side who ran in five tries in 28 minutes to lead 33-7 by halftime with the scoreboard spinning faster than the clock.

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The tries were shared across five players, with the offload game of blindside flanker Vilive Miramira, who grabbed their third, causing havoc for the visitors.

In front of a raucous home crowd at HFC Stadium they posed threats across the park with the Rebels constantly back-peddling.

It was the Drua's second home win, also claiming the scalp of the powerhouse Crusaders in Nadi in round three.

Melbourne stunningly had 61 per cent of territory in the first half and also dominated possession but only had one try to show for it, with hooker Alex Mafi burrowing across in the 21st minute.

Rebels coach Kevin Foote rang the changes early, bringing Wallabies back Andrew Kellaway into the match after halftime for his first match of the season due to a foot injury.

Kellaway made an immediate impact, scoring in the 41st minute, while he was confident in using his kicking game to improve Melbourne's field position.

Some heat went out of the home side's game while the Rebels, coming off a gritty win over Queensland, started to find their groove.

But the Drua continued to make the most of their opportunities.

Realising the Rebels had no-one at fullback, No.9 Peni Matawalu chipped over the defensive line with former Sevens star Elia Canakaivata able to gather up the ball and crash over the line.

Although a win was out of reach, Melbourne improved the scoreline with two further tries to at least take the second half.

Young Melbourne playmaker Carter Gordon ran on to a Brad Wilkin pass to cross in the 65th minute while World Cup hopeful Pone Fa'amausili rolled over with two minutes remaining.

DRUA 38

TRIES: Droasese, Ravutaumada, Miramira, Masi, Salawa, Canakaivata

CONS: Tela 4/6

REBELS 28

TRIES: Mafi, Kellaway, Gordon, Fa'amausili

CONS: Hodge 4/4

FIJIAN DRUA v MELBOURNE REBELS TEAMS

DRUA (1-15): Emosi Tuqiri, Tevita Ikanivere, Jone Tiko, Isoa Nasilasila, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Meli Derenalagi (c), Peni Matawalu, Teti Tela, Eroni Sau, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese

RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Livai Natave, Kaloipasi Uluilakepa, Joseva Tamani, Ella Canakaivata, Philip Baselala, Michael Naitokani, Taniela Rakuro

REBELS (1-15): Matt Gibbon, Alex Mafi, Sam Talakai, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Josh Canham, Josh Kemeny, Brad Wilkin (c), Vaiolini Ekuasi, Ryan Louwrens, Carter Gordon, Monty Ioane, Stacey Ili, Reece Hodge, Lachie Anderson, Joe Pincus

RESERVES: Jordan Uelese, Cabous Eloff, Pone Fa’amausili, Angelo Smith, Daniel Maiava, James Tuttle, David Feliuai, Andrew Kellaway

Referee: James Doleman

Assistant Referees: Jono Bredin, Fraser Mannon

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