Source :- THE AGE NEWS
The Waratahs rested several of their stars for Saturday’s clash with the Drua but lacked firepower when it mattered most, falling 28-14 in Lautoka as their wait for a maiden win on Fijian soil continues.
Fresh off a rousing victory over the Chiefs, NSW struggled to get into the game and were outmuscled by a Drua side that extended their winning streak at Churchill Park to eight matches.
Drua’s Mesulame Dolokoto is tackled by Leafi Talataina.Credit: Getty Images
The Waratahs trailed by seven points in the dying stages of the matched but will be kicking themselves after conceding a penalty try after full-time when they could have kicked the ball out and salvaged a point from what is widely regarded as the toughest away trip in Super Rugby.
Possession proved elusive, with the Waratahs seeing just 38 per cent of the ball in hot and humid conditions. Meanwhile, the Drua piled on pressure and raced to a 21-7 lead after 51 minutes courtesy of tries from Motikiai Murray and Ponipate Loganimasi.
NSW missed a whopping 24 tackles in the first half alone – and 37 for the match – as the Drua attacked on the edges and showed greater resilience in the middle of the park by missing just nine tackles.
The Waratahs were kept so quiet that Joseph-Aukuso’s 29 metres was the best return of anyone in a sky blue jersey. Lalakai Foketi, who was involved in several heated exchanges with Drua forwards, was next best with 19 metres.
Leaving Angus Bell, Rob Leota and Taniela Tupou back in Sydney gave some clue as to how much importance the Waratahs were placing on this fixture. However, getting over the advantage line proved difficult for the Waratahs, who lost Ben Grant early in the match with a suspected ankle injury.
The result leaves the Waratahs with a 5-4 record for the season and still winless away from home.
It also marks their ninth consecutive away defeat — the longest run since a tough stretch on the road between March 1996 and May 1997.
Jamie Adamson of the Waratahs takes a carry. Credit: Getty Images
“It’s a tough place to play footy isn’t it but it’s awesome with the crowd,” Waratahs captain Hugh Sinclair said on Stan Sport.
“Disappointed to not even come away with a point there. Not really sure what happened.
“We put ourselves in a position in the second half [to win] … but they were too good. They played the conditions well.
“We fell off too many tackles in the first half. We just couldn’t claw it back.”
It’s all over in Lautoka.
The Waratahs did their best to search for a match-levelling try but just couldn’t find it.
The Drua are awarded a penalty try after full-time to deny the Waratahs a losing bonus point.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is pinned for picking up the ball in an offside position inside his team’s try area.
Referee Paul Williams believes the Drua probably would have scored a try had Suaalii not done that.
Players from both sides look exhausted. Tough rugby conditions out there today.
The Waratahs continue their winless run on the road this year, leaving them with five victories and four losses overall in 2025.
Ponipate Loganimasi scores a try. Credit: Getty Images
The Waratahs are penalised for tackling a Drua player without the ball.
It presents Kemu Valetini with a massive (roughly) 55-metre penalty attempt. However, it goes just to the left.
A try in it with four minutes remaining.
Drua lead 21-14 after 76 minutes
Drua reserve Kemu Valetini, brother of Wallabies back-rower Rob, pulls off a 50-22 that gets Drua down the right end of the field but a knock-on sees the Tahs get a let-off.
Plenty of play going on in the middle of the park. Boys from both sides look pretty knackered.
Who will hold their nerve? You sense Suaalii is going pop up in the dying minutes.
Drua lead 21-14 after 70 minutes
Inia Tabuavou of Drua maintains possession. Credit: Getty Images
Wow. Langi Gleeson has made a heck of a statement.
The NSW back-rower has absolutely smashed reserve Drua halfback Leone Nawai. A monster tackle that forces a knock-on and a Waratahs scrum inside the home side’s half.
NSW try to pick and drive their way over the line. Hugh Sinclair is pushed over the sideline. Very close. This game is going down to the final few minutes.
Drua lead 21-14 after 66 minutes
Drua’s Mesulame Dolokoto is tackled by Leafi Talataina. Credit: Getty Images
The Waratahs get a scrum inside the Drua’s 22-metre line and profit from it.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii comes very close to the tryline down the left edge. Three phases later, Julian Heaven picks and drives to get his side’s five-pointer. Clever play from the Waratahs.
Tane Edmed’s conversion clips the post but it goes over. Seven points the difference.
Drua lead 21-14 after 58 minutes
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula knocks over a penalty to put the Drua ahead 21-7.
The Waratahs have made some changes, with Tane Edmed and Jack Grant coming on.
The visitors have only had 32 per cent of the ball today. The Drua have made 11 clean breaks to the Waratahs’ one.
Tuidraki Samusamuvodre of Drua. Credit: Getty Images
Jamie Adamson’s poor game continues with a knock on inside the Drua’s half before Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii spills a ball that dribbles down to him while defending in the back field.
It looks like there was a sledge from a Drua player to Suaalii after his error there. Good niggle.
The Drua look to go through the middle but a forward pass spoils their good work in the lead-up. They’re certainly applying plenty of pressure to a NSW team who just cannot get any ball or cohesion.
Reserve NSW hooker Julian Heaven has replaced Ethan Dobbins. Heaven’s first lineout misses by about a metre. Not straight.
Drua lead 18-7 after 46 minutes
Jamie Adamson of the Waratahs. Credit: Getty Images
