The Fijian Drua have made a statement to start their Super Rugby Women's campaign, powering past Queensland for a 32-21 win at Ballymore.
Champions for the past two years, the Drua took every punch the Reds could throw in the grand final rematch, but proved too good with debutant winger Merewairita Neivosa the star of the show.
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Neivosa created one try and scored two herself, including the sealing effort two minutes from time as she again flexed immense physicality to find the line.
But the Reds wouldn't be too disheartened after pushing the Drua to their limits.
They looked close to dead when Drua prop Ana Korovata powered over for a 22-7 lead on 54 minutes, after Vani Arei scored earlier in the half as the Pacific side took charge.
But the Reds' pack lifted and forced a string of penalties, culminating in a penalty try and yellow card for Korovata for collapsing a maul that would surely have crossed the line.
Queensland took advantage of the extra player, with young substitute Shalom Sauaso slicing through to lift her side to within a point, only for the Drua to throw a counter-punch and cross through Sulita Waisega.
And Neivosa's sealer meant the Fijian team could start their celebrations a fraction earlier.
Drua captain Karalaini Naisewa said her side's ability to offload the football and constantly threaten the Reds' line had stood out.
Her side is searching for a three-peat, having been champions in their first two seasons in the competition.
"Just our structure game, sticking to our structure and playing the Fijiana game - that is offloading and going forward," she told Stan Sport.
"Thank you to all the supporters back at home who have been cheering for us and supporting us all the way."
The Reds needed to defend courageously to only trail 10-7 at halftime, after being unable to contain Neivosa.
First, she broke the Queensland line and offloaded for flanker Teresia Tinanivalu to score, before shedding defenders at will and scoring shortly before the break.
Outstanding cover defence from Reds fullback Lori Cramer was all that kept her side in it, although they'd taken an early 7-0 lead through Tiarna Molloy as five-eighth Carys Dallinger pulled the strings.
