There was more swimming than Rugby in Laukota as torrential conditions dominated the contest.
The Fijian Drua handled the downpour the best, fighting hard for a 31-13 win over the Western Force despite a yellow and red card.
Catch every game of Super Rugby Pacific LIVE on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now!
So what did we learn?
The Drua and Force may as well have been playing in the Pacific Ocean such was the deluge across the 80 minutes.
It resembled a pond as the teams ran out onto the field as players struggled throughout the game for handling.
Clearing kicks were stopping dead in their tracks and players were making two or three extra metres from their carries purely from their bodies sliding once they hit the ground.
Anyone who has played the game has their own core memories of playing in the mud and slipping and sliding around but this was next level.
The willingness to throw the ball around regardless of the conditions is what makes the Drua everyone’s second favourite side (outside of their own).
They understand that mistakes will come but even in weather that left the ball resembling soap, they kept playing the expansive style and it kept delivering results.
They were still willing to cross-field kick from their in-goal whilst Selestino Ravutaumada’s swan dive try after Frank Lomani’s quick tap was a joy.
It furthers the legend of Churchill Park as a graveyard for travelling teams, next welcoming the undefeated Hurricanes to Fiji in three weeks after a short trip to Melbourne and the bye.
Given the conditions, any team would’ve struggled to attack but the Force lost this game thanks to an ability to capitalise on the Drua’s ill-discipline.
To get outscored 19-8 with the numbers advantage for half an hour is inexcusable if you want to win games. Captain Nic White nailed it when he called it 'the one that got away.'
Their discipline again let them down in key moments as their forward pack got outmuscled at times.
Time and time again, they present Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula with opportunities to keep ticking over the scoreboard and the young half obliged.
Speaking of Armstrong-Ravula, the young half has set himself up to be the future of the Drua and Fijian Rugby.
His kicking game was superb in the rain, controlling the game when they were down to 14 twice. When Tevita Ikanivere was red-carded, Armstrong-Ravula delivered the perfect grubber for Iosefo Masi to dive over just after the break whilst nailing his penalty attempts.
Armstrong-Ravula is still eligible for the U20 World Championships and has grown enormously in the absence of 24-year-old Caleb Muntz, the first-choice Fiji flyhalf before his World Cup dream ended due to an ACL injury.
The Fijians have often developed strong outside backs and centres but have lacked world-class playmakers. With Armstrong-Ravula and Muntz, they have a pair of tens for the next decade that can compete with the best in Super and World Rugby.
No one battles in a game like Nic White.
The scrum half was in the thick of it and ready to take on anyone in blue, especially opposite number Frank Lomani.
It brings out the best of the Wallaby, snapping a perfect 50-22 that almost led to a second try to Chase Tiatia before TMO intervention.
In typical White fashion, he was quick after the game to congratulate Lomani on his 50th game and was ready to celebrate the moment with the former Rebel.
