Vitalina Naikore has made history with the fastest try in SMARTECH Super Rugby Women’s history, scoring in the first 8 seconds of the match in the 2025 season opener against the Waratahs.
This set up the strong performance of the Fijian Drua team as they won 23-17, getting revenge for the grand final.
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The Fijian Drua outside centre made her return to rugby union a memorable one by setting a record for the fastest try in women’s rugby history.
It is Naikore’s first try back in the competition since moving to the NRLW in 2023 where she spent two years playing for the North Queensland Cowboys.
The Drua's win came off the back of a strong scrum and lineout and benefited from multiple penalties, particularly Luisa Tisolo, who kicked the penalty that solidified the win.
They were dominating possession on the field with 70% for the majority of the game.
As the game progressed, the halftime score reflected the Dura’s overwhelming performance; they held a commanding lead with a score of 20-5, thanks in part to a brilliant try from Josifini Neihamu.
The second half began with a burst of energy from the Waratahs, as Bridie O’Gorman quickly made her mark by scoring for her team.
Towards the end of the game, Anasimeci Korovata drew a yellow card for a high tackle that allowed the hosts to build some offence.
In the last minute of the game, Georgina Friedrichs scored for the Waratahs, giving the team hope, but the drop goal was dropped into touch.
With the final score of 23-17 reflecting another victory for the Fijian Drua, the team set the stage for what could be a spectacular return to the finals in April.
"(We) can't turn over that much footy and expect to be in the game, so yeah, really disappointing start," Waratahs coach Mike Ruthven said.
"I never felt we were out of the game. The challenge was for us to just be able to control footy and just get back to the fundamental simple things that we knew were going to put us in the game...we just weren't able to execute consistantly enough."
