The Fijian Drua have continued their hot streak, handing the Super Rugby Pacific-leading Chiefs their first loss of the season..
The Drua braved the wet conditions at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Saturday afternoon and a strong Chiefs first half to take their maiden win over the Hamilton-based team 25-17.
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Wing Ponepati Loganimasi was the difference maker for the Drua, scoring and setting up a second half try for their first win of the season.
All Black Samisoni Taukei’aho was strong in his return to the starting side for the Chiefs, scoring the opener in the first three minutes.
The wet conditions dictated the flow of the game early as both sides dropped the ball.
The Drua settled the game with a penalty from Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula before Jimmy Tupou charged over from close.
Armstrong-Ravula’s second penalty of the afternoon reduced the margin to six before the clearer conditions allowed the Drua to work their way into the game after the break.
No 8 Meli Derenalagi gave the hosts the perfect start after diving over from close range for the 13-12 lead.
The lead did not last long after centre Anton Lienert-Brown continued his strong season with his third try of the year. The All Black won the race to the loose ball after Leroy Carter’s kick ahead allowed the centre to skid onto the ball and score.
Unfazed, the Drua mounted a charge close to the hour mark that decided the game through explosive wing Loganimasi. The former Sevens star threw a lovely basketball-style pass inside to fullback Vuate Karawalevu, diving over to put them back in front.
Loganimasi then produced some magic after collecting a chip kick from halfway, chipping and chasing before soccering ahead for himself to extend the margin.
The Drua held onto their lead until the end when Armstrong-Ravula booted another penalty to put the result out of doubt.
Tupou Vaa’i ensured the Chiefs would not leave empty-handed, charging over well after the full-time siren for a losing bonus point.
It ensures the Chiefs remain on top, barring a Reds bonus point win, having played one more game than their Queensland counterparts.
Meanwhile, the win vaults the Drua into seventh for the time being, now set to head to Canberra to face the ACT Brumbies.
Later on Saturday, Moana Pasifika have produced an unbelievable 40-31 win over the Hurricanes to get their maiden win of 2025.
It ensured All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea earned bragging rights over his old team in their first meeting since he joined the expansion side.
However, it was fellow back-rower Miracle Faiʻilagi who stole the show with a hat-trick. The Samoan international answered Brayden Iose’s opener with their first points of the game as they came out firing.
Returning star Ruben Love capitalised on some in-decision from a loose ball to hit straight back in the corner.
This inspired Moana Pasifika, who scored 28 unanswered points.
Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa barged over to give them the lead before it unravelled for the visitors, losing Iose for 10 minutes.
This is where Moana Pasifika punished the Hurricanes, with breakout star Kyren Taumoefolau winning the race to the ball to give them a 21-12 lead at the break.
Faiʻilagi’s second to start the second half gave them a 16-point lead as the Hurricanes had little answer.
Not even Tom Savage’s yellow card could slow them down, with Mills Sanerivi extending the lead in the 58th minute.
Peter Lakai got the Hurricanes firing for a brief moment with a close-range try, only for Faiʻilagi to complete the hat-trick minutes later.
The game was well out of reach when the Hurricanes mounted a late change. Tries to Ngatungane Punivai and Jone Rova made the game closer than it was as the hosts celebrated their first win of the year in style.
Savea's win was marred after the All Black went off right before the break with an apparent injury.
Fijian Drua 28 (Meli Derenalagi, Vuate Karawalevu, Ponepati Loganimasi tries; Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula 2 con, 3 pen) Chiefs 24 (Samisoni Taukei’aho, Jimmy Tupou, Anton Lienert-Brown, Tupou Vaa'i tries; Josh Jacomb 2 con). HT: 6-12
Moana Pasifika 40 (Miracle Fai’ilagi 3, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Kyren Taumoefolau, Millennium Sanerivi tries; Patrick Pellegrini 5 con) Hurricanes 31 (Brayden Iose, Ruben Love, Peter Lakai, Ngatungane Punivai, Jone Rova tries; Harry Godfrey 3 con). HT: 14-12