Fijiana Drua claim the Super Rugby Women’s Title in Epic Grand Final

In their inaugural Super W tournament the Fijiana Drua have claimed the Super W title in a thrilling 32-26 victory over the NSW Waratahs at AAMI Park.

The Senirusi Seruvakula coached side has been said to have revolutionised women’s rugby 15s in Australia in there first season with an exciting brand of running rugby not seen since the Mark Ella era of the 1980s.

The game went down to the wire as the Waratahs attempted to stage a comeback, with NZ import Natalie Delamare crossing for a hat-trick.

However, the Fijiana Drua refused to give up and backed by a strong Fijian crowd, they hit the front with nine minutes to go through Timaima Ravisa.

One of Fijiana’s lethal back three, winger Vitalina Naikore sealed the win minutes later to claim her own hat-trick to end a fantastic season of 7 tries all up.

With both teams evenly matched to start the game, neither attack could finish their chance as the brutal defence shined in the opening quarter.

Having gone down in their previous clash to Fiji by 29-10 during the season, the Waratahs’ focus on dominating via the set-piece saw Vika Matarugu sent for ten as the Drua struggled to stop the rolling maul.

The decision to opt for a 5 metre scrum came back to haunt Campbell Aitken’s side when an errant pass allowed the Fijians to flip the field and eventually cross for the first try through Vitalina Naikore.

Natalie Delamare found a response four minutes later but two quick tries to the Drua, including a great kick pass from Merewalesi Rokouono to Kolora Lomani allowed them to build a 17-5 lead.

Delamare and the Waratahs’ rolling maul got them back into the contest with tries before and after the break as they took a slender two-point lead.

The Waratahs put up a brave defensive line with Wallaroos Emily Chancellor and scrumhalf Illseva Batibasaga snagging turnover after turnover.

Waratah’s Eva Karpani’s injection came at the perfect time for the defending champions to storm into the lead with 14 minutes to go.

However, the Fijiana Drua kept applying pressure with their trademark fast-tempo game as their electric Melbourne supporters willed them over the line.

It took a piece of brilliance from fullback Timaima Ravisa to break the game open, racing away, slipping under a Mahalia Murphy tackle to put the Drua back in front.

With momentum on their side, Naikore’s third try sealed the result and the championship for the Drua as they celebrated in emotional scenes at AAMI Park.

Fijiana Head Coach Senirusi Seruvakula has again proven why he is one of the best of Fiji’s local coaches. Seruvakula doesn’t hesitate to apply the unique Fiji style and brand of rugby at the highest level. He has proven that it does work and tonight in Melbourne, it did work.

DRUA 32

TRIES: Naikore 3, Radiniyavuni, Lomani, Timaima Ravisa

CONS: Rokouono 0/4, Naikore 1/2

WARATAHS 26

TRIES: Delamare 3, Karpani

CONS: Cramer 3/4

FIJIANA DRUA V NSW WARATAHS TEAMS

FIJIANA (1-15): Joma Rubuti, Vika Matarugu, Bitila Tawake (c), Jade Coates, Merevesi Ofakimalino, Karalaini Naisewa, Ema Adivitaloga, Sereima Leweniqila, Rusila Tamoi, Merewalesi Rokouono, Vitalina Naikore, Raijieli Laqeretabua, Roela Radiniyavuni, Kolora Lomani, Timaima Ravisa

RESERVES: Keleni Marawa, Mereoni Naositava, Sera Seini Ravatude, Akosita Ravato, Teresia Tinanivalu, Rejiele Uluinayau, Vani Arei, Younis Bese

WARATAHS (1-15): Emily Robinson, Natalie Delamere, Bridie O’Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Sera Naiqama, Piper Duck, Emily Chancellor, Grace Hamilton, Illseva Batibasaga, Arabella McKenzie, Lori Cramer, Pauline Piliae, Georgina Friedrichs, Margot Vella, Mahalia Murphy

RESERVES: Faliki Pohiva, Adiana Talakai, Eva Karpani, Sabine Blakeman, Ella Koster, Nicole Nathan, Tatum Bird, Layne Morgan.

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