Round Three of Super Rugby Women's saw two close encounters as the teams start to make their move towards the finals.
The Fijiana Drua dug deep for a crucial home victory over the ACT Brumbies, powering home thanks to a dominant second half.
Meanwhile, the Western Force needed a late try at home to defeat the Queensland Reds and stay in touch with top two.
Rugby.com.au selects its Team of the Week from Round Three.
A sweep for the Fijiana Drua after their powerful win over the ACT Brumbies.
Naisewa was the standout with a crucial second half try to establish their lead in the crucial victory.
Meanwhile, Robanakadavu was dominant with her 12 carries as Marawa delivered a near perfect afternoon at lineout.
Thorpe and Leonard had an entertaining battle in a tense contest across the forward packs.
Leonard was again the standout in the Force’s win, scoring a clutch try and pinching several lineouts to help disrupt the Reds’ momentum as they threatened to run away with the game.
For Thorpe, the lock was tidy around the park with a perfect 11 from 11 tackles.
Daunimoala continued her strong form to start the season for the Drua, producing several powerful carries and three crucial offloads in the win.
An excellent showing by Palu Sekona held off Sulita Waisega, with the Wallaroos skipper coming away with multiple line breaks and turnovers to keep her side in the contest.
Saito rounds out the forward pack with a tidy performance from the Japanese number eight with double digit carries and tackles, consistently breaking over the gain line.
Wood again was excellent for the Force, setting up a try and kicking a clutch conversion late to secure the win.
Meanwhile, Vatau wins the narrowest of battles against Fijiana’s Varanisese Qoro thanks to a remarkable 11 tackle busts in defeat.
Another clean sweep for the Drua, with Naihamu continuing her perfect record after a team high two tries, six tackle busts, two line breaks and a remarkable 144 metres.
Neivosa joins her in the midfield following her own five pointer, three tackle busts and three offloads.
Bishop was unstoppable in the first half for the Brumbies, completing her hat-trick right before half-time.
It was an intense battle with Tova, who managed two line breaks and a double, edging out her Drua teammate Atelaite Buna.
Cramer wins the battle at fullback after a monster game with the boot at the back, controlling the game perfectly for the Reds to nearly get them home.
- Karalaini Naisewa
- Keleni Marawa
- Tiana Robanakadavu
- Lucy Thorpe
- Michaela Leonard
- Nunia Daunimoala
- Siokapesi Palu Sekona
- Seina Saito
- Samantha Wood
- Harmony Vatau
- Repeka Tove
- Josivini Naihamu
- Merewairita Neivosa
- Ash Bishop
- Lori Cramer
