Super Rugby

Drua turn their focus to the Reds

The Pacific Super Rugby Round 4 clash will be a test of character for the Drua, who recorded the upset of the season so far with their 25-24 win over the champion Crusaders in Lautoka last weekend.

Head coach Mick Byrne told a media conference at the Drua's camp in Nadi, Fiji this week that the Reds will be very physical.

"They bring a physicality right across the board through the front row, the back row are hard men, and then out into the centres.

Moana Pasifika looking for repeat win over the Brumbies

Pasifika lost beyond the final siren, 21-18 at HBF Park in Perth.

Western Force were awarded a scrum penalty after the final siren which Bryce Hegarty from eight metres in front off the sticks, scored to give the Western Australia side the victory.

"It's one we let slip," Moana Pasifika coach Aaron Mauger admitted.

"We've got to be better in those moments. We couldn't execute our basics. It's hard to play when you're not catching the ball."

Moana Pasifika let it slip despite late two-man advantage

The scores were level at 18-18 in Saturday night's Super Rugby Pacific match when the Force had Ollie Callan red carded in the 73rd minute and Siosifa Amone also then sent off with a yellow three minutes later.

But instead of wilting under the numerical disadvantage, the 13-man Force pulled off a series of clutch plays at the death to secure the win in front of 6497 fans.

Super Rugby power rankings: How Fijian Drua humbled the champs

Fijian Drua

Beat Crusaders 25-24. Record: 2-1. Last ranking: 9. Table position: 5.

 

A landmark win over Crusaders for the new boys

The Crusaders found that out the hard way on an absolute sweaty armpit of a day in Lautoka during this weekend's round of Super Rugby Pacific, losing on the last kick of a game they really had no right to win anyway.

This weekend has seen some very good rugby, but it belongs to the Drua. They've delivered on their promise to play an up-tempo style throughout their time in Super Rugby so far and nearly pulled off a couple of upsets last season.

Fijian Drua expect ruthless Crusaders

Coach Mick Byrne says with the Drua coming off a loss against the Waratahs last week, the side is also hungry for a win as they want to put smiles on the faces of home fans.

FBC reports Byrne saying they had a disappointing final 20 minutes last week against the Waratahs, and this is an area they have worked on for this crucial first home game of the season.

Flying Fijians winger Eroni Sau will make his Super Rugby Pacific debut with the Drua in the game.

 

 

Photo credit Fijian Drua/Facebook

     

Eyes on the prize but also the jersey for Stephen Perofeta

Don't get the Blues playmaker wrong, he has this year's Super Rugby competition at the forefront of his mind.

But, with Richie Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett set to leave New Zealand after the global tournament, Perofeta could be forgiven for envisioning himself becoming the starting All Blacks first-five next year.

"I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about that.

"It will definitely be an opportunity when that time comes around. But, I don't want to put too much pressure on myself right now, worrying about what could happen in the future.

Crusaders return to winning ways

After a shock opening round loss, the Crusaders got their Super Rugby Pacific title defence back on track with a 52-15 thrashing of the Highlanders in Melbourne.

The Crusaders had seven different try-scorers in the win which was the first time the side had scored 50 points against their southern neighbours.

RNZ reports ahead 24-3 at halftime, the Crusaders were dominant despite the Highlanders being the first to score in the Super Round match.

The Highlanders scored two late tries to make the score slightly more respectable.

 

Super round a good test for Blues as they take on Brumbies

All 12 teams compete in the super round in Melbourne this weekend.

The Brumbies dominated their Australian rivals last year but fell short in a 20-19 thriller at Eden Park as the Blues booked their place in the final against the eventual champion Crusaders.

Reuters reports the Blues have won their last 14 regular season matches, including last week's 60-20 hiding of the Highlanders in their season-opener in Dunedin.

Blues too good for Highlanders in massive win

Both teams exchanged penalties early in the game before the Blues went on a try-scoring rampage crossing the line four times in 15 minutes and racing out to a 31-6 lead at the half hour mark.

Blues winger Mark Telea scored the opening try and could nearly have scored the second until he passed out to Beauden Barrett for the first-five to dot down next to the posts.

Caleb Clarke used his pace to chase down a Barrett kick and score the third try.

Telea played a part in putting Rieko Ioane in space for a clear run at the Highlanders line for the fourth try.