Fijian Drua breaks Reds hearts, Hurricanes fire past Chiefs

SATURDAY WRAP: The last-placed Fijian Drua continue to play Super Rugby Pacific spoilers, upsetting the Reds 36-33 in a thrilling try-fest in Suva.

The Reds were a minute away from notching an elusive first win in the Fijian capital before inspired replacement Isikeli Rabitu surged over for the winner with 52 seconds left on the clock on Saturday.

Reds mentor and Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss had billed the match as a “must-win” for his fourth-placed side as they chase a top-three finals berth and the all-important home play-off.

Little wonder Kiss cut an anxious figure, pacing around the Queensland coaches’ box throughout the seesawing encounter.

In a bruising and sapping physical affair, the forwards scored nine of the 11 tries as the lead changed hands seven times.

In crossing for six tries to five but missing four conversions, the Drua probably deserved victory.

That’s one happy cappy 😃#SuperRugbyPacific #DRUvRED pic.twitter.com/LC9rVRvNUF

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) May 3, 2025

But it only came after a frenetic finish in which Reds co-captain Fraser McReight was yellow-carded, leaving his side a man short for the final 90 seconds.

That’s all the Drua needed to leave the Reds none from three in Suva. Now, they’re back in a dogfight for a top-six finals berth, ahead of two pivotal derbies away from home against the seventh-placed Waratahs and third-placed Brumbies.

The Reds made a nice enough start, fullback Jock Campbell racing away to give his side an early lead after Drua winger Taniela Rakuro had opened the scoring in the fifth minute.

But, seeking a breather on the short side, flanker Etonia Waqa caught Tim Ryan napping and brushed off the winger to score the softest of tries for the Drua.

Again, like after the Drua’s two earlier tries through Rakuro and prop Mesake Doge, either side of Campbell’s effort, the home team couldn’t convert.

Filling in for injured Wallabies hooker Matt Faesler, Richie Asiata’s fifth try in six games dragged the Reds back to within a point, before Fijian-born flanker Seru Uru strolled over down the left wing to earn the visitors a 19-15 halftime lead.

The Drua came out all guns blazing after the break, with lock Mesake Vocevoce and flanker Isoa Tuwai charging over to give the hosts a 29-19 advantage.

The Reds hit back through finishing forwards Jeff Toomaga-Allen and Max Craig.

But Rabitu had the final say to throw a spanner in the Reds’ finals hopes, a fortnight after the Drua also downed the Waratahs in Fiji.

*The Hurricanes claimed a massive win in the context of their season, putting the horrors of last year’s semifinal loss to rest by beating the Chiefs 35-17 in Wellington. Bailyn Sullivan scored four tries off the bench.

This was the third loss of the season for the Chiefs, who still hold a strong position at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder. As for the Canes, this win has seen them cut down the gap between themselves and the fourth-placed Reds.

*Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii stole the show even though the Waratahs lost to rivals the Brumbies 17-40 in Canberra. Suaalii continues to amaze with a phenomenal, game-breaking set of skills.

After a closely fought first half, the second term was controlled by the Brumbies, who always looked like winning once they got going. Noah Lolesio led the team around the park, while the likes of Corey Toole reaped the try-scoring rewards.

The Waratahs have four more matches to save their season.

Dan McKellar’s team is unbeaten in Sydney this season, but is yet to win a match on enemy soil during an up-and-down campaign. Saturday’s loss to the Brumbies was another tough result, with the New South Welshman now facing an uphill battle to make the playoffs.

With a 5-5 record, the Tahs will sit in eighth place, which is only one point behind the sixth-placed Blues, who beat the Western Force on Friday. While that difference isn’t an issue, the Waratahs’ run home would intimidate any fan base in the competition.

Fijian Drua 36-33 Reds

Scorers:

For Fijian Drua:
Tries: Rakuro, Doge, Waqa, Vocevoce, Tuwai, Rabitu
Cons: Armstrong-Ravula

For Reds:
Tries: Campbell, Asiata, Uru, Toomaga-Allen, Craig
Cons: McLaughlin-Phillips 2, Lynagh 2

Fiji Drua: 15 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Vuate Karawalevu, 12 Inia Tabuavou, 11 Taniela Rakuro,, 10 Kemu Valetini, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Kitione Salawa, 7 Isoa Tuwai, 6 Etonia Waqa, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Mesake Doge (captain), 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Peni Ravai.
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Samuela Tawake, 19 Leone Rotuisolia, 20 Joseva Tamani, 21 Elia Canakiavata, 22 Philip Baselala, 23 Isikeli Rabitu

Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Lachie Anderson, 13 Dre Pakeho, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 9 Tate McDermott (captain), 8 Joe Brial, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Seru Uru, 5 Angus Blyth, 4 Ryan Smith, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Richie Asiata, 1 Sef Fa’agase.
Replacements: 16 Max Craig, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 Josh Canham, 20 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Tom Lynagh,23 Heremaia Murray

Referee: Marcus Playle
Assistant Referees: James Doleman, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Glenn Newman

Hurricanes 30-17 Chiefs

Scorers:

For Hurricanes:
Tries: Sullivan 3
Cons: Love 3
Pens: Love 3

For Chiefs:
Tries: Rona 2
Cons: Jacomb 2
Pens: Jacomb

Teams

Hurricanes: 15 Callum Harkin, 14 Ngane Punivai, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Riley Higgins, 11 Kini Nanolo, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-captain), 6 Brayden Iose,, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 Caleb Delany, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Tevita Mafileo
Replacements: 16 Raymond Tuputupu, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Zach Gallagher, 20 Brad Shields, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Riley Hohepa, 23 Bailyn Sullivan

Chiefs: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Luke Jacobson (captain), 7 Kalyum Boshier, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Josh Lord, 3 George Dyer, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Ollie Norris.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Simon Parker, 21 Wallace Sititi, 22 Xavier Roe, 23 Gideon Wrampling

Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Jordan Way
TMO: Brett Cronan

Brumbies 40-17 Waratahs

Scorers

For Brumbies:
Tries: Toole 2, Ikitau, Pollard 2, Alaalatoa
Cons: Lolesio 5

For Waratahs:
Tries: Gleeson, Suaalii, Kellaway
Cons: Creighton

Teams:

Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Tuanina Taii Tualima, 7 Luke Reimer, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Tom Hooper, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Rhys van Nek, 18 Feao Fotuaika, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Rory Scott, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Declan Meredith, 23 Ollie Sapsford.

Waratahs: 15 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Triston Reilly, 10 Lawson Creighton, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Langi Gleeson, 7 Jamie Adamson, 6 Rob Leota, 5 Ben Grant, 4 Hugh Sinclair, 3 Daniel Botha, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Mahe Vailanu, 17 Tom Lambert, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Miles Amatosero, 20 Leafi Talataina, 21 Teddy Wilson, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Henry O’Donnell

Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Graham Cooper
TMO: James Leckie